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.
Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi told
al-Joumhouria Daily that the Kataeb party will keep on supporting the leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea in the presidential elections, despite the fact that the head of the Kataeb party Amin Gemayel will also be a candidate.
In this regard, Azzi stressed that political stances must not change under pressure exerted by March 8 forces.
The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri stressed that Saudi Arabia is keen on maintaining Lebanon’s stability, noting that it is monitoring the latest developments and hopes that the Lebanese factions reach an agreement and elect an appropriate president.
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria Daily, Assiri stressed that the Kingdom will not interfere in the Lebanese affairs, hoping that Lebanon will protect itself from any negative repercussions resulting from international and regional situations.
On another note, the ambassador praised the security plan implemented in the Bekaa region and the North, which has proved to be fruitful in several regions across the country, pointing out that the return of the Saudi nationals to Lebanon depends on the full success of the security plan.
The head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt stressed that a two-third quorum is unlikely to be reached during the parliamentary session set to elect a new president next Wednesday, noting that agreement has not yet been reached over a candidate.
In an interview with
as-Safir Daily, Jumblatt said that he will seek agreement over the presidential issue, in the same way that he did when he helped in reaching a solution for the governmental crisis.
In this context, Jumblatt called on former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon as soon as possible, “because his absence is no longer justified.”
“I support Hariri’s return to head a national unity government following the election of a new president,” he said.
However, the head of the NSF said that he will keep on supporting MP Henry Helo for the presidency, pointing out a president must be elected before the end of the mandate of President Michel Sleiman on May 25th, in order to avoid vacuum.
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stressed that after the referral of the explosion cases to the judicial council, the trials will be held as soon as possible, “since the leads have been revealed and the investigations have reached concrete results.”
Rifi told
al-Joumhouria Newspaper that any affected person can file a complaint before the judicial council, which is the highest judicial body, contrary to the military court.
Commenting on the latest decision issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to summon journalists from al-Jadeed TV and al-Akhbar Newspaper for interrogations, Rifi said that the Lebanese judiciary will carry out its duties and will abide by the law, noting that the security forces will take the necessary measures once the judicial warrants are delivered.