Press Digest for Sunday November 03, 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.

• President Sleiman to visit Saudi Arabia this week- sources             

Lebanese Presidential sources told Al-Hayat newspaper on Sunday that President Michel Sleiman may visit, during this week, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he is set to meet with high-ranking Saudi officials and discuss the local and regional developments in light of the Syrian crisis.              

The same sources ruled out that the visit will take place on Tuesday since President Sleiman was already committed to attending a ceremony to be held at the Justice Palace.            

The sources confirmed that Saudi Arabia had telephoned, three days ago, Presidential Palace departments in order to set a date for the visit, adding that contacts are still ongoing in this regard.                

• Media official of Arab Democratic Party Saleh underscores need to end aggressions in Tripoli          

The media official of the Arab Democratic Party Abdul Latif Saleh warned on Sunday against dire repercussions should the situation in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli remain the same.          

Abdul Latif Saleh also asked for the "swift" intervention of President Michel Sleiman and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi in order to end aggressions in the region.           

This as, sources told An-Nahar daily that the Lebanese army has advised the residents of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh who live in hot spots to evacuate their houses for their own safety.              

• Cabinet formation process remains stalled- source             

A ministerial source ruled out on Sunday the possibility of a greater escalation in Tripoli if the Geneva 2 conference was deferred "since the escalation may be aiming at sending out messages to the conference's attendees."         

Separately, the same source told An-Nahar daily that there is no possibility of forming a new government so far, and said: "It is a complicated issue in light of Lebanon's 'blatant' involvement in the Syrian war, and mainly that of Hezbollah which is the most involved in Syria".