Press Digest for Tuesday May 27, 2014

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.

• Houry: March 8 camp seeks presidential vacuum

Member of the Future bloc MP Ammar Houry stressed that the March 14 forces will have to deal with the state of presidential vacuum caused by the March 8 camp, by abiding with the Constitution and democratic rules, noting that the Future movement's participation in upcoming legislative sessions remains under discussion.

In a statement to al-Seyassah Kuwaitia daily, Houry said that March 14 forces are ready to accept a new candidate, “on the condition that he adopts the coalition’s beliefs,” he added.

In this context, the MP said that some parties are waiting for the outcome of the Iranian-international talks or for the developments in Syria to act accordingly.

Houry pointed out that the cabinet of Prime Minister Tammam Salam is capable of overcoming the challenges that will be imposed during the upcoming stage, calling on “the other team [March 8] not to obstruct the cabinet’s work.”

• Berri considers possibility of calling for dialogue sessions

Parliamentary sources told al-Hayat newspaper that the complicated political situation that accompanies the presidential vacuum led Speaker Nabih Berri to consider the possibility of calling for a dialogue session.

The sources added that Berri seeks to bring the rival political parties together in order to find means to end the current turmoil.  

• MP Ogassapian: Deputies cannot pursue legislation under presidential vacuum

Member of the Future bloc MP Jean Ogassapian stressed that March 14 deputies have reached consensus over the boycott of the legislative sessions, noting that the deputies cannot pursue legislative work while there is vacuum in the presidency.

Ogassapian told Asharq al-Awsat daily that March 14 deputies informed Speaker Nabih Berri that they do not reject the series of ranks and salaries, noting that the draft law should be returned to the parliamentary sub-committee for further deliberations.

“When the final formula is reached, the deputies will attend the session dedicated for the pay scale and vote in its favor,” he added.

• Russian ambassador to Lebanon calls for electing new president as soon as possible

Russian ambassador to Beirut Alexander Zasypkin revealed that his country supports the election of a new Lebanese president as soon as possible, without naming a specific candidate.

In a statement to al-Anbaa al-Kuwaitia newspaper, Zasypkin said that the Saudi-Iranian talks can be a positive factor, but the solution must be “purely Lebanese,” ruling out any links between the Lebanese and the Syrian presidential elections.