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.
Deputy Fadi Karam said on Saturday that the Lebanese Forces will not participate in a cabinet that does not serve and respect Lebanon’s national interest and the Baabda Declaration.
In this context, MP Karam told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the stance of March 14 forces is unified; however, these forces will not participate in a cabinet if Hezbollah did not withdraw its forces from Syria.
MP Karam added to the newspaper that each political party has its own way in negotiating the forming of the cabinet, stressing that the Future Bloc will not participate a new government without the Lebanese Forces.
Sources told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Saturday that discussions are continuous regarding the cabinet formation, adding that March 14 forces are against the “army-people-Resistance” formula.
Al-Mustaqbal added that the Director of the Office of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Nader Hariri did not receive any new message from former PM Hariri, however, stressed that Nader Hariri along with former PM Fouad Siniora are continuously contacting PM-Designate Tammam Salam.
The newspaper added that Nader Hariri held talks on Friday evening with caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour.
The
Al-Mustaqbal also noted that March 14 forces held a meeting at Beit el-Wasat during which they discussed the latest developments regarding the formation of a new government.
Deputy Marwan Hamadeh said on Saturday that Head of the Future Movement Saad Hariri expressed a preliminary approval on the 8-8-8 cabinet formula, stressing that the ministerial statement should not be related to the “army-people-Resistance” formula.
Hamadeh, who is currently in Paris, told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that the Future Bloc is not against removing the Baabda declaration from the governmental statement, stressing that the two said dossiers should be discussed during dialogue sessions.
Hamadeh also said that Lebanese President Michel Sleiman told the Future movement that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam has to address their concerns since he is tasked with forming the cabinet.
Sources close to the Future Bloc told
Al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday that Future MPs will not give their final decision regarding the cabinet formation unless they discuss this issue with their allies.
The same sources added that "the Future Bloc did not reject holding talks with Hezbollah and did not ask for excluding it from the cabinet", stressing that the Future bloc has been calling for the formation of a cabinet on the basis of the 8-8-8 formula since the beginning.