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.
A source from March 14 forces revealed to al-Joumhouria that a solution was proposed for the formation of the new cabinet requiring that the Future Movement and the March 14 alliance give up the foreign ministry.
“Such a request is uncommon and could not be discussed, especially after the stances launched by caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, that have tarnished Lebanon’s image and led several countries to take measures against the Lebanese nationals working there,” the source explained.
In this context, the source said that any concessions demanded from the March 14 will be unacceptable, calling on the March 8 forces to stop delaying the formation.
A security source reported to al-Joumhouria Daily that the security apparatuses are cooperating in order to control the situation in the northern city of Tripoli, pointing out that the political decision that can solve the issue fails to be declared "due to the wide sectarian division that transformed into armed conflict against the legitimate apparatuses."
The source added that the “hooligans controlling the streets are causing troubles between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tebbaneh, overcoming all leaderships and political parties to serve their personal interests and reach their political goals,” stressing that these gangs have become uncontrollable and pose a great threat to the security of the northern city.
Meanwhile, well informed sources from Tripoli told the daily that fears are rising concerning the increase of the number of young men willing to go to Syria and implement suicide attacks.
The sources added that an armed group belonging to a Syrian salafist organization (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) set up a checkpoint in Tripoli, the members of which attacked a Sheikh from the city and carried out robberies and thefts across the streets.
Member of the Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat stressed that the formation of a new cabinet is the duty of Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam and President Michel Sleiman, explaining that a political agreement was reached over granting the March 14 coalition 8 ministries of the same grade as the ministries granted to the March 8 coalition.
In a statement to al-Liwaa Newspaper, Fatfat said that Hezbollah is insisting that the Foreign Ministry will be within Aoun’s share, pointing out that March 14’s only concern is to form a government according to the agreement reached between the political parties and to remove all the obstacles standing in the way.
Fatfat added that the ball is in the court of the March 8 alliance, which is refusing to implement its promises, stating that regional changes may be behind the shift in its stance.
The head of the Defense Office of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Francois Roux expressed gratitude to President Michel Sleiman for supporting the use of three languages in the court room, noting that cultural diversity is an important wealth.
In a statement to an-Nahar Daily, Roux noted that during his meetings with Lebanese officials, he sensed that there is a will to reach agreement over cooperation between the Lebanese authorities and the defense’s demands.
In this context, Roux said that the court will hold a session on February 11th where all the parties will present their remarks regarding whether or not to add the case of Hassan Merhi to the other cases, stressing that the defense office needs time to prepare Merhi’s file concerning this issue.