Press Digest for Wednesday December 18, 2013

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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.

Salam’s contacts unproductive, vetoes still on – Sources

Diplomatic sources said that the current situation full of risks requires the formation of a new cabinet that does not include any challenges, “since any party is capable of fabricating security incidents able to topple any government formed without an agreement between March 8 and March 14 coalitions.”

In a statement to al-Joumhouria Newspaper, the sources said that preliminary contacts revealed that the vetoes are still on, noting that the contacts held by the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam away from the spotlight during the past 48 hours were unproductive.

However, the same sources pointed out that the latest developments show that a “fait accompli cabinet is more dangerous than no cabinet at all.”

Hollande informs Sleiman of France’s continuous support to Lebanon in all fields – Sources

Sources from Baabda Presidential Palace said that the phone call held between President Michel Sleiman and his French counterpart Francois Hollande focused on the bilateral relations, the Geneva II peace talks and the issues of common interest.

In this context, Hollande informed Sleiman of France’s continuous support to Lebanon in all the fields, under the title of the International Support Group for Lebanon.

The sources told al-Liwaa Daily that France is intending to hold a conference similar to that of the support group aiming at following up the previously approved matters, noting that several conferences will be held in European capitals for the same goal.

The sources recalled the conference expected to be held in Italy in a bid to support the Lebanese army, adding that another conference will also take place in Germany.

Minister Charbel says upcoming months will be critical

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said on Wednesday "Lebanon is passing through a difficult situation," noting that the upcoming months will be critical due to the situation in Syria and the region.

Minister Charbel told As-Safir newspaper that the security situation is still under control; however, stressed that political factions should reach common grounds in order to prevent perpetrators from breaching Lebanon's security.

In the same regard, Minister Charbel called for a swift cabinet formation, and urged Lebanese parties to agree on a new president seemingly since void will have negative repercussions on the country.

Hezbollah's Nasrallah to deliver speech Friday

The Secretary General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a speech on Friday from the Sayyed Al-Shouhadaa Mosque complex, in South Beirut's Roueis region following the memorial services of Hezbollah leader Hassan Laqis who was assassinated this month outside his residence in South Beirut’s Al-Hadath region.

In this regard, prominent Hezbollah sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah will be discussing the overall regional and local developments.

The sources added that Nasrallah will point out that various Israeli-linked terrorist groups are in Lebanon, along with other takfiri groups; and will urge all Lebanese factions to act in a responsible manner in order to preserve Lebanon and maintain its stability.