Press Digest for Thursday January 30, 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.

• LF leader Samir Geagea: March 8 alliance hindering formation of new cabinet

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that the March 8 alliance is hindering the formation of the upcoming cabinet.

He also urged President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam to form a neutral government, adding that the Ministry of Energy cannot be given to the Free Patriotic Movement.

Geagea added that the formation of a neutral cabinet facilitates the holding of the presidential elections, adding that the March 14 alliance is fully united in this regard.

According to the Daily, Geagea concluded by saying that the alliance is also adamant on writing off the People-Army-Resistance formula in the ministerial statement of the upcoming government.

• Bassil: FPM did not receive "clear and official offer" for portfolios from Salam

Caretaker Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the Free Patriotic Movement did not receive during the last 10 months any "clear and official offer" from Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam pertaining the portfolios.

Asked about media reports stating that the FPM will be handed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bassil said that such an issue is still pending discussions between various leaders.
 

• Member of Syrian Coalition Ghalioun : Geneva 2 negotiations will reach deadlock

Member of the Syrian Coalition, Burhan Ghalioun, told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the Syrian regime "which committed crimes against its people," will not be able to reach common grounds with the Syrian opposition in Geneva 2 conference.

Ghalioun added that the Coalition refuses to hold negotiations with the Syrian regime and to make concessions amid the violations of human rights committed by the regime.

He also urged the International community and the humanitarian organizations to interfere and stop such violations and to open humanitarian corridors across Syrian regions.

• President Sleiman, PM-Designate Salam will not form cabinet by the end of the week-sources

Sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will not form a cabinet by the end of this week.

The same sources added that President Sleiman is still facing several obstacles in the formation process, mainly pertaining to the representation of Christians in the cabinet, with the refusal of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to participate in the government and the insistence of MP Michel Aoun to be given the Ministries of Energy and Telecommunications as well as one additional sovereign portfolio.

Sources concluded by saying that President Sleiman and  PM-Designate Salam will not form a neutral cabinet, saying that several obstacles face such a suggestion.