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.
Member of the Change and Reform bloc MP Hekmat Dib stressed that a positive atmosphere has been prevailing over the discussions held between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Future Movement, noting that cooperation is ongoing with the head of the Future Movement, MP Saad Hariri.
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria daily, MP Dib expected that the discussions will lead to an agreement over the presidential issue, pointing out that both parties have already stressed their keenness on preserving national values.
A Saudi source said that any Saudi-Iranian talks to be held during the exchange of visits between officials from both countries, will tackle the Lebanese affairs and the presidential issue.
In this regard, a senior gulf politician said that Lebanon represents a key factor for reaching balanced relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and one of the key solutions for the Syrian crisis.
The source told
as-Safir newspaper that Saudi Arabia and the majority of the Gulf States stressed that “when Lebanon succeeds in implementing its disassociation policy and leading Hezbollah to commit to it and reduce its intervention in Syria, Saudi Arabia would have achieved its goal in Lebanon.”
Commenting on the Lebanese presidential issue, the Saudi official said that “Hezbollah may not agree to give up its weapons, but with a certain compromise concerning the identity of the next president, the Shiite party may accept to disassociate its arms and reduce its involvement in Syria.”
In this context, he stressed the need to elect a strong president agreed upon by all the Lebanese factions.
Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass revealed that Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi delivered a letter to Prime Minister Tammam Salam sent from former PM Saad Hariri, whereby the latter declared that a four-million-dollar donation will be granted in order to rebuild Tripoli’s Syria Street between Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.
In a statement to
al-Liwaa daily, Minister Derbass noted that Salam will present the letter for discussions during the cabinet session, before starting its implementation.
The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri said that he received official statements reassuring him over the security situation in Lebanon, hoping that Lebanon will witness an exceptional summer season with the arrival of the Arab tourists.
In a statement to
Acharq al-Awsat newspaper, Assiri denied reports stating that Saudi Arabia issued a decision allowing Saudi nationals to travel to Lebanon, stressing that there never was a travel ban to begin with.
“The Kingdom had only warned its citizens form the risks of traveling to Lebanon, given the latest security events,” he explained.