Press Digest for Thursday January 23, 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.

• PM-Designate Salam: Contacts between March 8 and 14 alliances ongoing to form new cabinet

Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that contacts between March 8 and March 14 alliances are ongoing in order to form a new cabinet, adding that the formation process will not be delayed.

He also noted that the security situation in Lebanon requires a government backed by both International and regional powers.

According to the Daily, Salam said that the new cabinet must deal with all "phenomena" that pose threats to the country and its stability and are targeting all Lebanese people of all sects.

• MP Aoun to take "surprising steps to recover the rights of Christians"-sources

Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun is preparing to take "surprising steps in order to recover the rights of Christians."

The same sources added that MP Aoun may refuse all ministerial portfolios in the upcoming government as Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

• Identity of Tuesday's suicide bomber not recognized yet-sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that the security apparatuses were not able to recognize the identity of Tuesday's suicide bomber in the region of Haret Hreik.

Sources added that the sketch drawn by the security apparatuses for the suicide bomber did not match with the suspects' sketches.

This as no one recognized the photo attached on the driving license that was found at the explosion's site and was circulated by the concerned authorities.

 

• MP Alain Aoun: FPM will not boycott upcoming government

MP Alain Aoun told Acharq al-Awsat newspaper on Thursday that the ball of the cabinet formation is now in the court of Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam.

He also noted that the Free Patriotic Movement refuses the rotation of portfolios, mainly in a cabinet whose tenure will last for only three months.

According to the Daily, MP Aoun concluded by saying that the stance of the March 8 alliance on the formation process "is not unified", adding that the FPM will not boycott the upcoming cabinet.