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.
An-Nahar newspaper reported on Thursday that French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli informed Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi that France will not interfere in the presidential elections; however, will remain keen on holding the elections within a constitutional framework.
An-Nahar quoted Paoli as saying that “France does not support extending the mandate of the president, but also rejects void at the presidential level.”
Meanwhile, sources reported to
An-Nahar that French President Francois Hollande's Adviser for Middle Eastern Affairs Emmanuel Bonn arrived on Wednesday to Beirut to discuss the upcoming presidential elections with Lebanese officials.
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai stated on Thursday that neither the Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea nor Free Patriotic Movement Leader MP Michel Aoun stand a chance at becoming the new Lebanese president, stressing that the new president should be consensual and agreed upon by the entire nation.
Rai called via
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on House Speaker Nabih Berri to hold parliamentary sessions to elect a new president, stressing that Bkerke does not support a specific person; however, pointed out that the president should have a certain criteria.
Rai also emphasized that the new head of state should have faith in the Lebanese nation, and should also have strong local, regional, and international ties in order to restore the role of Lebanese institutions.
On another note, Rai told
Al-Joumhouria that he urged all officials he met to find a swift and successful solution to the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, adding that the international community as well as the Syrian regime should figure out means to end the Syrian crisis.
Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat stated on Thursday that most items pertaining to the funding of the series of ranks and salaries have been discussed, except those pertaining to the value added tax (VAT).
MP Fatfat told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that Speaker Nabih Berri asked the Union Coordinating Committee to grant parliament until Sunday to discuss the new pay scale in order to give deputies apt time for consecutive sessions.
He also stated that the series of ranks and salaries may be installed over a period of 3 years.
Al-Akhbar newspaper stated on Thursday that Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun considers himself a consensual candidate for the upcoming president elections, stressing that he is not running for presidency to compete with Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea or any other candidate.
According to the newspaper there will be no other candidate from the March 8 coalition, seemingly since MP Aoun enjoys a political cover from Hezbollah.
The newspaper also mentioned that Hezbollah is preparing for a joint meeting between MP Aoun, House Speaker Nabih Berri, and Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in order to discuss the presidential elections and have a common stance regarding the upcoming entitlement.