Press Digest for Monday December 16, 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.

• Speaker Berri denies he is launching political campaign against President Sleiman          

Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that President Michel Sleiman did not discuss with him the extension of his term, adding that "no one has tackled with him this issue".            

Speaker Berri said that if someone wants to tackle the Presidential elections' issue, he will give him an appointment on the 25th of March "since he will not hold official talks in this regard before the start of the constitutional deadline for the election of a Lebanese President".           

He also denied claims that he was having issues with President Sleiman, dismissing media outlets claiming that he is launching a political campaign against Sleiman.

          

• Meeting between President Sleiman, MP Jumblatt tackled cabinet formation process- sources             

Sources told Al-Hayat daily on Monday that the meeting held on Saturday night between President Michel Sleiman and National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt tackled the officials' stances regarding the formation of a new government.          

The meeting was held in the presence of caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour and before President Sleiman had left to Paris on a private visit to complete his medical tests.              

MP Jumblatt stressed, during the meeting, that "he has a good relation with President Sleiman," ministerial sources said, adding that he refuses the formation of a neutral cabinet, as recommended by the March 14 coalition, while being adamant on a government of national unity that includes representatives of all the political parties.

• Hezbollah and Amal movement support MP Michel Aoun for the presidency-sources

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday that Hezbollah and Amal movement will only support Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun for the presidency.

Sources added that Hezbollah is fully aware of the security repercussions of  any presidential void, stressing that the armed group will not be driven into strife.

According to the Daily, the same sources concluded by saying that some parties will attempt to exploit the Sunnite-Shiite tensions in order to elect a president that does not represent the Lebanese Christians.

• Sunday’s attack on LAF checkpoint aims at passing booby trapped cars-sources

Sources told al-Liwaa newspaper on Monday that Sunday’s attack on the Lebanese Armed Forces checkpoint in Sidon is an attempt to circulate booby-trapped cars.

Same sources added that one of the booby trapped cars was able to pass through the checkpoint, noting that the car is set to be exploded on Christmas.

This as the sources concluded by saying that the Lebanese security apparatuses are on high alert to arrest the terrorist cells.