Press Digest for Wednesday February 05, 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.

• New cabinet will comply with National Pact - sources               

Sources reported to As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will be putting “the final touches” on the cabinet formation process in the upcoming days.                      

Commenting on the latest speech delivered by Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, the sources said the new cabinet will be compliant with the National Pact, and will comprise all Lebanese factions.       

The sources also noted that the formation of a new cabinet will soon be announced, pointing out that MP Salam will bear the responsibility of this formation.       
        

• Minister Charbel stresses importance of cooperation between LAF and ISF    
  

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Wednesday the importance of cooperation between Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers and the Internal Security Forces in order to maintain Lebanon’s stability.                      

Minister Charbel told Al-Joumhouria newspaper the security plan implemented in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs is different to that of Baalbek, pointing out that security forces are deployed in various Lebanese regions.                  

• MP Pakradonian: Tashnag party will not take any decision before consulting its Christian allies            

MP Hagob Pakradonian told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the Tashnag party is part of a Christian coalition, and will not take any decision regarding the cabinet formation without consulting its allies.

MP Pakradonian added to the newspaper that there will be full cooperation between the Tashnag party and its allies concerning the participation in a de facto cabinet.

He also stressed that the Tashnag party did not nominate any minister to represent it in the new cabinet, stressing that “even this step should be agreed upon with the allies.” 

• Sleiman still awaits Salam’s governmental proposal - Sources              

Sources reported to Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that Lebanese President Michel Sleiman is awaiting the result of governmental consultations and the step that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will be taking as soon as the governmental formula is complete.

The sources added that President Sleiman had previously vowed to support PM-Designate Salam, and is currently waiting for the latter to present his governmental proposal so that he may study it thoroughly, pointing out that the cabinet should be based on national unity without excluding any Lebanese party.