Press Digest for Monday September 02, 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.

• Caretaker Minister Charbel:  No side is entitled to perform the duties of the Lebanese state

Caretaker Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel told Asharq Al Awsat newspaper on Monday that Hezbollah's inspection of  a Saudi Embassy car on Thursday is "unacceptable."

Charbel stressed that "no side is entitled to perform the duties of the state."

He also noted that contacts are ongoing with the concerned authorities, mainly Hezbollah, in order to "avert future incidents."

According to the Daily, caretaker Minister Charbel said that Hezbollah is tightening its security measures following the two explosions that took place in the Dahieh region.

• Speaker Berri says still awaiting Lebanese leaders feedback on the suggested road map
  

Speaker Nabih Berri told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday that the road map suggested during the 35th memory of the disappearance of the spiritual leader Moussa al-Sadr "would get the country out of the current crisis."

Speaker Berri noted that he is still awaiting the feedback of the Lebanese leaders on his initiative.

He also noted that the road map includes holding a five-day dialogue that would discuss the formation of a new government and its policy statement.

On Syria, Berri said that the US administration was willing to carry out a strike against Syria, however,  President Obama did not proceed with the military action after Britain announced it wouldn't participate in the strike.

• President Sleiman: PM-Designate Salam must form new government "as soon as possible"

President Michel Sleiman told Al-Liwaa newspaper on Monday that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam must form a new government "as soon as possible."

He also noted that the Lebanese constitution mentions the entitlements of the Prime Minister-Designate in forming a cabinet and the inking of the President of the Republic on such a decree.

According to the Daily, President Sleiman slammed attempts of some Lebanese leaders to hinder the formation of the government.

• Turkey to withdraw most of its troops serving in the UNIFIL- sources

A diplomatic source revealed to An-Nahar newspaper on Monday that Turkey has begun withdrawing its troops serving in south Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Source added that the Turkish troops will continue to serve in the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.

Well informed sources told the Daily that the kidnapping of two Turkish pilots reportedly by a group linked to the relatives of the Lebanese hostages in Syria accelerated the procedure.