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.
President Michel Sleiman returned late on Sunday from the southern
French city of Nice to Beirut after he held bilateral talks with French
President Francois Hollande.
Sources told
An-Nahar daily that talks featured high on
France's decision to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with assistance in terms
of military equipment.
For his part, President Sleiman called on his French counterpart Hollande to grant Lebanon such
assistance the soonest possible, praising the role of the Lebanese army throughout
the current circumstances.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed his solidarity
with the residents of the Syrian Christian village of Maaloula, noting that "the
identity of armed groups fighting in the village cannot be easily determined".
In this regard, LF leader Geagea told
As-Safir newspaper he rules
out that the potential US military strike against Syria will lead to an all-out
regional war, adding that "he does not expect any reaction from Iran and
Hezbollah" since "they are wise enough" to avoid a widespread war.
Separately, Geagea called for a neutral government in
Lebanon, noting that conflicts between the March 8 and 14 coalitions have reached
an all-time high after the outbreak of war in Syria.
Well-informed political
sources reported that the cabinet formation process is facing several difficulties,
denying recent reports that a political government will soon be formed.
This as parliamentary
sources close to the March 14 coalition told
Al-Joumhouria daily that "contacts and deliberations
over the formation of a new cabinet returned to square one," adding that numerous
security measures were implemented, but shall remain undisclosed due to the
sensitivity of the situation.
Ministerial sources told
Al-Hayat daily that the latest
meeting of the Higher Defense Council held under the chairmanship of
President Michel Sleiman had tackled a series of measures to be implemented in
order to avoid any security threat to Lebanon in the event of a military strike
on Syria.
The same sources also praised the meeting held between
President Sleiman and his French counterpart Francois Hollande on the sidelines
of the opening ceremony of the Francophone Games in Nice as well as intensive
meetings held by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati with the ambassadors to
Lebanon.
"The said meetings underscore the need to abide by the
Baabda Declaration and the dissociation policy which shields Lebanon from the
repercussions of regional developments," the sources added.
On another note, political sources reported that contacts
are underway between Hezbollah's leadership and ambassadors of Western
countries, in reference to French ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli and EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst.