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.
Head of the General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that Lebanon "is going through a dangerous phase", stressing that all Lebanese leaders are required to deploy all possible efforts to spare the country regional spillovers.
He also noted that the General Directorate of the General Security took some measures to avert "the worst case scenario" in case a military strike were carried out against Syria.
As for the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz and the two abducted Turkish pilots, Ibrahim said negotiations are moving slowly, adding that the Lebanese hostages are not currently held in Turkey.
According to the Daily, Ibrahim revealed that the file of the two Greek Orthodox bishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji who were abducted in Syria is also being discussed by the Lebanese state with the Turkish authorities.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt paid a visit on Tuesday to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam and discussed with him the efforts to form a new government.
Sources added that MP Jumblatt briefed PM-Designate Salam over the last visit carried out by MP Wael Abou Faour to Saudi Arabia.
According to the Daily, MP Jumblatt expressed his relief during the meeting over the stance of the Future movement and the March 14 alliance in regards to Hezbollah's participation in the new government.
In this context, sources told
As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the formation of a new government in Lebanon awaits the results of the potential military strike against Syria.
Sources told
Al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday that the meeting held between President Michel Sleiman and Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Rai tackled the latest developments in Lebanon.
Sources noted that the two officials discussed the potential military strike against Syria and its repercussions on Lebanon, as well as the formation of the new government and the strike of the economic committees.
According to the Daily, President Sleiman and Patriarch Rai shared the same concerns over the situation in Lebanon, saying that the formation of a new government must be Lebanon's top priority.
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly told
As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the United Nations will tackle the five-year assistance plan for the Lebanese Armed Forces organized by the Lebanese Army Command (LAF).
He also praised the Lebanese army's efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the country, adding that the LAF is the main partner of the United Nations and the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
According to the Daily, Plumbly denied all media reports stating that the UNIFIL will withdraw its troops from South Lebanon in case a military strike were carried out against Syria.