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.
Well-informed sources denied reports stating that the adviser to former PM Saad Hariri, Nader Hariri has presented offers to the head of Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun concerning a one-year extension of the term of President Michel Sleiman, in a bid to avoid vacuum and to promote the growing relation between Aoun and Hariri, with a regional and international support.
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria daily, the sources also denied any meeting between Aoun and Nader Hariri, noting that the latter spent Friday evening at Beit al-Wasat, where March 14 forces held a meeting to evaluate the latest developments and to find means to deal with the upcoming stage.
The same sources confirmed that Hariri visited Saudi Arabia a few days ago, stressing that the visit had a personal, not a political aspect, since Hariri has business in the Kingdom.
Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb revealed that March 14 forces are set to hold a meeting in 48 hours, in a bid to launch a unified stance over the upcoming stage, mainly the ministers' work in the cabinet.
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria daily, Harb expected that March 14 Christian ministers may not present their resignation, to prevent the country from falling into an unexpected vacuum.
The minister also stressed that March 14's Christian forces refuse legislation in the absence of a president, rejecting the statement saying that “either Aoun for presidency, or chaos.”
“The Lebanese people had previously experienced the rule of the head of Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun, and they have not yet forgotten what he has done,” he added.
An-Nahar newspaper reported that March 14 deputies decided to head for the Parliament in the afternoon in order to express their insistence on the need to hold the presidential elections during the last hours of the constitutional deadline.
In this regard, sources said that MP Sami Gemayel suggested that the deputies shall stay at the Parliament from 6:00 pm until midnight, noting that the Lebanese Forces deputies, the Future bloc and the independent MPs backed the proposition.
Member of the Future bloc MP Mouin al-Merhebi warned that Hezbollah may resort to assassinations and fabricated security events in order to reach its political goals, noting that the party’s history shows what it is ready to commit to serve its interests and the interests of Iran.
In a statement to
Acharq al-Awsat daily, MP al-Merhebi said that “Hezbollah’s preoccupation in the Syrian war is somehow reassuring, since its military capabilities are witnessing a decline.”