Press Digest for Thursday February 27, 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.

• President Sleiman adamant on listing Baabda Declaration in ministerial policy statement-sources

Sources close to President Michel Sleiman told al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday that he is adamant on listing the Baabda Declaration in the ministerial policy statement of the new cabinet despite Hezbollah's rejection.

Same sources quoted President Sleiman saying that he will cooperate with Prime Minister Tammam Salam in his regard.

The sources concluded by saying that Sleiman does not want to hinder the drafting of the ministerial policy statement but he is insisting on giving the cabinet the vote of confidence before the meeting of Lebanon support group which is scheduled to be held in Paris on March 5.

• Lebanon and France reach agreement over Saudi weapons donation-sources

Diplomatic sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Lebanon and France have reached an agreement over the Saudi weapons donation.

According to the Daily, the agreement includes granting the Lebanese Armed Forces military equipments for the air, sea and land forces.

Same sources added that the agreement might be declared during the meeting of Lebanon support group which is scheduled to be held in Paris on March 5.

• Israeli strike on Hezbollah positions proves Lebanon is mailbox between rival sides-sources

Sources in March 14 camp told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the Israeli strike on one of Hezbollah's position on the Lebanese-Syrian border on Monday proved "once again that Lebanon is still a mailbox between Israel and Hezbollah."

Same sources added that the Lebanese authorities must control the borders in order to prevent such strikes, as well as implementing the international resolutions and preventing weapons smuggling into Syria.

This as diplomatic sources told An-Nahar newspaper that Lebanon might be under threat due to Israeli movements on the Golan Heights and the Syrian-Lebanese border.

• Committee drafting the ministerial policy statement tackles Resistance, defense strategy and Baabda Declaration-sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that the committee drafting the ministerial policy statement is trying to reach common ground over the remaining pending issues.

Sources added that current deliberations are focusing on three issues: the Resistance, the defense strategy and the Baabda Declaration.