Press Digest for Wednesday September 18, 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.

 

• PSP leader Jumblatt underscores need to resume dialogue          

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt said on Wednesday he had told the delegation of the committee designated  by Speaker Nabih Berri that he agrees on holding dialogue without preconditions, adding however that "he will not go into details".         

In this regard, MP Jumblatt told As-Safir daily that there is an urgent need to resume dialogue, be it before or after the formation of a new government.            

• FPM leader Aoun says some Lebanese parties still betting on regional developments          

Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun voiced his support to Speaker Nabih Berri's dialogue initiative, adding however that the resumption of a "successful" dialogue requires the following conditions:         

"The Lebanese parties should acknowledge that there is a crisis, they should be willing to find a settlement and must waiver their preconditions in order to hold dialogue," he said.            

MP Aoun also told As-Safir newspaper that some Lebanese political parties are not abide by the aforementioned conditions at the time being, noting that "they are seemingly still betting on regional developments while hoping the US will opt for a military strike against Syria".              

• Speaker Berri praises reaction to his initiative, says any kind of dialogue is useful            

Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir daily that the efforts exerted by the committee he has designated "have yielded positive results," noting that the Lebanese political parties which have so far hurdled the resumption of dialogue "would have a moral and political responsibility for the current standoff in Lebanon".       

In this regard, Speaker Berri noted that the stance of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun as well as the Kataeb party regarding his initiative was "very positive", adding that the Future bloc has supported the call for dialogue but said some issues still need to be tackled.            

“I do not mind to hold further contacts since any kind of dialogue is positive and useful,” he said.          

• MP Hamade says MP Aoun a political, security partner in Hezbollah's telecommunications network         

MP Marwan Hamade told Al-Joumhouria daily on Wednesday that "Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun does not have the right to comment on the illegitimate telecommunications network of Hezbollah," accusing him of being a political and security partner in this regard.             

MP Hamade also praised the stance of Zahle's deputies and residents and that of Tarshish municipality, calling on the military and security authorities to remain vigilant on Lebanon's security and sovereignty following the incidents that took place on the 7th of May, 2008.