Press Digest for Thursday August 08, 2013

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

• PM-Designate Salam says MP Jumblatt's stances "lay foundations of new political equation"

Prime Minister-Designate Najib Mikati told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that he wished from all Lebanese factions to exert efforts to facilitate the formation of a new government to deal with the Lebanese people's daily issues.

He also refused to set  a deadline for the formation process, adding that the most important issue is the formation of a government that safeguards "the national interests."

According to the Daily, PM-Designate Salam  noted that MP Walid Jumblatt's latest stances "lay the foundation of new political equation."

In this context, sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that President Michel Sleiman met with  MP Wael Abou Faour dispatched by MP Walid Jumbatt, and discussed with him the formation of a new government.

• UNIFIL says not concerned in EU's decision over Hezbollah

Diplomatic source told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the leadership of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) played a major  role in warning the Lebanese leaders against the dangers of the vacuum in the leadership of the military institution.

Same source added that the UNIFIL considers itself "not concerned" in the European Union's latest decision over Hezbollah's military wing, adding that the UNIFIL must coordinate with Hezbollah in South Lebanon in order to preserve "the safety" of its soldiers in the region.

• Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood boycotts Lebanon's Future movement

Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt boycotted the Future Movement in Lebanon on the backdrop of the movement's political support to the events taking place in Egypt.

Sources added that a delegation of the Muslim Brotherhood met with Future bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora who explained the movement's point of view in this regard.

According to the Daily, the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood will adopt escalatory measures against the Future movement after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

• Caretaker Minister Mansour: Israel violated once again Lebanon's sovereignty

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Adnan Mansour told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the crossing of an Israeli patrol into Lebanon is a clear violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.

He also noted that Lebanon will submit a complaint against Israel to the United Nations Security Council, adding that Israel violated the 1701 resolution.

In this context, Al-Joumhouria newspaper quoted the United Nations spokesman Martin Nesirky as saying that the United Nations did not receive yet any official complaint from Lebanon, adding that the Security Council is carrying out investigations in the incident.