Press Digest for Monday January 13, 2014

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: Portfolios will be rotated in upcoming cabinet

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Monday that the ongoing contacts and deliberations are "positive", noting that his meeting with MP Walid Jumblatt aimed at facilitating the formation of the new government.

Berri's comments were made to An-Nahar newspaper in which he hailed the efforts deployed by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, adding that Hariri is helping "in overcoming obstacles."

He also noted that March 8 and March 14 alliances are setting conditions in order to form the government "with the best possible formula."

According to the Daily, Berri concluded by saying that portfolios will be rotated in the upcoming cabinet.

• MP Jumblatt: Speaker Berri is keen on Lebanon's stability

MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that Speaker Nabih Berri is keen on Lebanon's stability.

He also noted that Sunday's meeting with Berri tackled the formation of the new cabinet, the latest developments in the region and the importance of the political solution for the Syrian crisis.

• MP Khaled Daher says he is still receiving threatening messages

MP Khaled Daher told An-Nahar newspaper on Monday that he is still receiving threatening messages on his phone from international and local numbers.

He also noted that the messages insult him, his family as well as Sunnite figures, adding that he informed the concerned authorities of these threats

According to the Daily, MPs Strida Geagea, Ahmad Fatfat, Nohad el Machnouk and Ammar Houry are receiving similar messages, as well as journalists May Chidiac and Nadim Koteich.

• French President Hollande urges former PM Hariri to not provoke Hezbollah-sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday that Hezbollah agreed on the formation of the new government to spare the country further tensions.

Same sources added that Future movement agreed on the new cabinet in fear of Hezbollah's reaction in case of the formation of a "fait accompli cabinet."

According to the Daily, French President Francois Hollande put pressure on former Prime Minister Saad Hariri during their last meeting in Saudi Arabia to not "provoke" Hezbollah, as well to "spare Lebanon the outcome of the Syrian crisis."