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 stated that the meeting held Monday between Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel and Head of the Future bloc Fouad Siniora aimed at discussing the latest talks held between Siniora and Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh.
The newspaper pointed out that the two officials stressed the necessity of maintaining unity among the members of the March 14 forces during the upcoming presidential elections.
According to
An-Nahar, the gatherers stated that the candidate of March 14 should garner all the votes of the said coalition as well as votes from other parliamentary blocs in order to reach the Baabda presidential palace.
Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb stated that "the National Struggle Front will not accept any ubiquitous means of funding the series of ranks and salaries especially if such a step affects Lebanon’s economic stability."
Chehayeb told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that the experience of the year 1992, when a salary scale bill was also passed, had a very bad impact on the exchange rate of the Lira to the US dollar, at one point reaching LL3,000, stressing that the NSF will not accept that employees, mainly those with a limited income, pay the price of corruption.
Sources reported to
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the Future Movement agreed, after various meetings held in Riyadh, that it will not support Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun in the upcoming presidential elections, stressing that the unity of March 14 is more important than all other issues pertaining to the elections.
The sources did not disclose details related to the meeting which was held Monday between Head of the Future Movement Saad Hariri and Saudi prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz; however, pointed out that Hariri contacted various officials from March 14 right after the end of the meeting.
March 14 sources reported to
Al-Akhbar newspaper that the governor of Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh, may be a consensual candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, stressing that various talks were held in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in this regard.
The sources told the newspaper that Bkerke may be definitive in supporting Salameh, pointing out that March 14 forces suggested his name after Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai identified some characteristics of the president that he supports.
In turn, March 8 sources stated that there is no veto against Salameh; however, emphasized that the coalition’s candidate is MP Michel Aoun.