Press Digest for Sunday January 19, 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.

• March 14 forces stress that cabinet formation needs more consultations- Sources  

An-Nahar newspaper reported on Sunday that an agreement was reached between March 14 forces stipulating that either all these forces participate in the new cabinet or abstain from taking part.               

In the same regard, sources reported to An-Nahar newspaper that the said agreement does not take the cabinet dossier back to zero; however, maintains the standards set by March 14 forces.     

The sources also noted that the formation of the cabinet has not been halted but needs more consultations, stressing that any agreement reached between March 14 forces did not focus on the distribution of portfolios and the names of ministers.            

• Ambassador Hale: No communication between the US and Hezbollah             

US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is not linked to the huge gap among Lebanese citizens, stressing that only violence in Lebanon is widening this gap and causing strife.                     

Hale stressed via Al-Hayat newspaper the importance of maintaining Lebanon’s stability, highlighting the necessity of distancing the country from the ongoing Syrian crisis.            

“Hezbollah is dragging the country to the abyss,” Hale said.                    

He also noted that “Lebanese citizens should keep in mind that Hezbollah is following an Iranian agenda instead of a Lebanese one.”        

Ambassador Hale also mentioned that there is no communication between the US government and Hezbollah, adding that “Hezbollah’s activities made us consider it a terrorist organization.”           

As for the formation of the cabinet, Hale said the Lebanese government should be formed without any foreign interference, adding that electing a new president is a matter supported by the US.              

• Salam: Hariri’s stance is a positive step in the path of governmental formation- Sources        

Sources close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam reported on Sunday that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s stance regarding the participation in a cabinet with Hezbollah boosted up the formation of the cabinet, and is considered a positive step regarding contacts between various Lebanese factions.             

Salam’s sources also told An-Nahar newspaper that Lebanese factions agreed on the importance of rotating ministerial portfolios, stressing that the most important achievement pertaining to the cabinet is agreeing on the 8-8-8 formula.