Press Digest for Tuesday October 29, 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.

• Min. Charbel meets President Sleiman, tackles latest developments             

A security meeting was held at the Baabda Palace between President Michel Sleiman and caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel with talks featuring high on the latest developments.           

Charbel told Al-Joumhouria daily on Tuesday that he had briefed Sleiman on the security plans being implemented "according to a specific mechanism followed by the security and military forces".         

"The security forces will take firm action throughout this phase," Charbel said.               

• Brahimi to hold meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut           

Sources close to the UN-Arab League Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday that the latter may hold meetings in Beirut on Wednesday after he returns from Damascus.                  

This as, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is set to hold a meeting today with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, in preparation for discussions to take place between Brahimi and a number of Lebanese officials.        
    

• Deputy Speaker Makari underscores need to form new cabinet             

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari stressed on the presence of a party in Tripoli taking directives from the Syrian regime, and said: "The problem cannot be settled unless the 'legitimate' security forces consider themselves a part of this battle".            

"Lebanon is reeling from the fallout of the Syrian crisis," Makari told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah daily, warning against any attack on the town of Arsal since "it will have dangerous repercussions on the Lebanese internal scene".             

Separately, Makari highlighted the need to form a new government the soonest possible, adding that this responsibility falls on Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam and President Michel Sleiman.               

• President Sleiman ready to hold dialogue sessions when circumstances are favorable-sources              

President Michel Sleiman headed a meeting late on Monday at the Baabda Palace for the Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue whereby he discussed the committee's work in light of the political and security developments.           

Well-informed sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that President Sleiman presided over the committee's periodic meeting in the presence of all its members, noting that "he is ready to hold dialogue sessions when the circumstances are favorable".