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 Nabih Berri stressed that any option other that the national unity cabinet based on the 9-9-6 formula will not benefit Lebanon, noting that the cabinet that will be formed without agreement among the political powers will turn into a burden that harms the country.
In a statement to
As-Safir Daily, Berri said that the current cabinet cannot be considered resigned, since a decree approving its resignation has not yet been issued, pointing out that this cabinet must convene in order to discuss one of the most important national files; the oil dossier.
In turn, sources close to the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam told the newspaper that Salam is still holding discussions with political powers in order to reach the appropriate governmental formula, noting that “time has become a real threat with the presidential elections drawing near.”
Caretaker Culture Minister Gaby Layoun stressed that the time has come for the Lebanese to elect a strong Christian president, noting that the extension of the current president’s mandate is worse than void. He added that the consensual and centrist president is weak.
“As Christians, we will not accept the marginalization of the presidency, nor will we agree to the appointment of a new president from foreign capitals,” he stated.
In a statement to
al-Liwaa Daily, Layoun pointed out that the Free Patriotic Movement has offered the Lebanese Forces at least 12 initiatives, but the latter “has continuously and stubbornly rejected to meet with the MPs.”
On another note, the caretaker minister said that Hezbollah went to Syria to fight against terrorists, explaining that the Shiite party did not consult the FPM before making its move.
“We are neither justifying, nor condemning Hezbollah’s actions,” he added.
However, Layoun said that the only way out of the current crisis is to hold a national dialogue between all the political leaders, “who must act as mature people,” as he said.
President Michel Sleiman told
An-Nahar newspaper on Monday that a certain event will take place in 2014 as a direct results of the efforts deployed by the International community to support Lebanon.
He also noted that the International meeting that is set to be held in Rome in order to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces will probably take place in March 2014."
On another note, Sleiman denied all media reports stating that he is seeking to extend his six-year term, adding that he "never thought of such an issue."
According to the Daily, President Sleiman noted that he will hold an interview on the 29th of December in order to tackle all pending internal issues.
Sources told
Al-Hayat newspaper on Monday that the formation of a new government will see light before February.
The same sources asserted that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam said that any delay in the formation process would be "useless", especially with the resignation of the government upon the election of the new President in May next year.
According to the Daily, the sources noted that the International community is urging the Lebanese leaders to form the new cabinet in order to activate the aid mechanism set to be given to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.