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.
Lebanese
Forces MP Antoine Zahra called Tuesday on House Speaker Nabih Berri to clarify
his initiative regarding the arms of the Resistance at the Lebanese borders,
stressing that the Lebanese Forces party is ready to participate in national
dialogue sessions if the initiative stipulates adhering to the 1701 resolution.
Zahra
told
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the weapons of the Resistance are no longer
justified seemingly since the Lebanese state does not recognize the
army-people-resistance formula.
Zahra
reiterated his support to national dialogue, adding that the results
will be taken into consideration if they were based on the Baabda declaration.
Political
sources following up on the formation of the cabinet told the
Al-Liwaa
newspaper on Tuesday that conditions to form the cabinet are not yet ready.
The
sources added that the return of caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou
Faour from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after
having held discussions with Saudi officials without reaching any
developments regarding the government, assures that the atmosphere is not
appropriate for the formation.
The
sources also mentioned that Minister Abou Faour will be heading to France this
week, and added that he may hold talks with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
This
as, sources close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam said a cabinet that encompasses all political parties, including Hezbollah, will be formed on the
basis of the 8-8-8 formula [8 ministers for March 8, 8 ministers for March 14,
and 8 independent ministers].
On
another note, sources close to March 8 told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that claims
of Hezbollah’s participation in the cabinet on the condition of giving up on
the army-people- resistance formula, and considering the Baabda declaration as
the ministerial statement is an illusion.
Sources
close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam told
Al-Liwaa newspaper on Tuesday
that MP Salam agreed with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on the importance
of forming a cabinet at the soonest time possible.
The
sources added that Salam is heading towards the formation of a new
government on the basis of the 8-8-8 formula [8 ministers for March 8, 8
ministers for March 14, and 8 independent ministers] seemingly since Lebanon’s
current situation requires a political cabinet capable of facing this critical stage,
and ready to address the upcoming entitlements.
The
sources added that all political factions will be represented in cabinet,
and mentioned that the major governmental portfolios will be rotated upon various
political forces.
This
as, sources close to the Future Movement reiterated the movement’s rejection to
Hezbollah’s participation in cabinet, highlighting the necessity of forming
a neutral government that does not include politicians from March 8 or March
14.
High ranking European officials rejected Tuesday claims of a
regional war against terrorism, stressing that the main problem is manifested
in maintaining the region's stability.
The officials added that Lebanon should ask for support from
the International Community in order to find a way for democracy and
independence away from the regional crises as a means to protect its security.
As for the possibility of the existence of takfiri groups in Lebanon,
European sources told
As-Safir newspaper that “although some groups are using
the Lebanese territories to transport weapons; terrorist groups are
not present in Lebanon.”