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.
Member of the Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan said that the bloc expressed reservations over the means of negotiations adopted in the issue of the cabinet formation, noting that the stalling is caused by the political maneuvers of the Future movement.
In a statement to as-Safir Daily, Kanaan pointed out that his bloc seeks to facilitate the formation of a new government according to the constitutional criteria, adding that he is still waiting for a complete governmental proposal that includes the cabinet formation, the distribution of the ministerial portfolios and the major headlines of the ministerial statement.
Member of the Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra stressed that the available data and information shared during the meeting with March 14 forces on Tuesday, confirmed that the former PM Fouad Siniora who is conducting negotiations with Speaker Nabih Berri, has not yet received the required answers, upon which their decision to whether or not take part in the new government will be built.
Commenting on reports stating that the discussions regarding the ministerial statement may be delayed until after the formation, Zahra told Acharq al-Awsat Newspaper that “they are dealing with a team that had previously failed to implement an agreement,” referring to the Baabda Declaration and Hezbollah’s intervention in the Syrian war.
“How can we trust them again?” he asked, calling for guarantees ensuring that the other team will commit to what will be agreed upon in the ministerial statement.
On another note, Zahra stressed that March 14 alliance has a unified position, denying reports claiming that the Future Movement may participate in the cabinet without its allies.
The head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt stressed that the strategic shift in the Iranian regional and international role cannot be disregarded, after the election of the new President Hassan Rouhani, urging for benefitting from the Iranian – American rapprochement that may lead to an Iranian – Saudi agreement in the future.
In a statement to al-Akhbar Daily, Jumblatt expressed reservations over the details of the visit made by caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour to Saudi Arabia, noting that he has always been keen on helping the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam in forming a new cabinet.
However, the MP refused to give his stance regarding the ministerial statement or the Baabda Declaration, noting that following the formation of the cabinet, a ministerial committee, that will include his representative, will convene to discuss the statement.
On another note, he regretted the negative signs indicating potential explosions and attacks similar to the Tripoli blasts, the Iranian Embassy explosion and the attacks that targeted Beirut Southern Suburb.
Official sources revealed to an-Nahar Newspaper that positive outcome resulted from the discussions held to form a new government, expecting that the cabinet will be announced next Saturday.
The sources added that the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam is now working on distributing the ministerial portfolios, which may come as follows: Interior Ministry for the Sunnis and Mohammad al-Mashnouq minister, Defense Ministry for the Maronite and Khalil al-Hrawi minister, Foreign Ministry for the Orthodox and the Finance Ministry for the Shiite.
However, the sources pointed out that the participation of the Change and Reform bloc has not yet been clearly declared awaiting MP Michel Aoun’s return from the Vatican, revealing that the discussions are tackling the possibility of reappointing Gebran Bassil as Energy Minister.