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.
As-Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday that Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah reiterated the call for the election of a president at the soonest possible, expressing his relief regarding the security situation in Lebanon.
However, the newspaper quoted Nasrallah as saying that the security situation is not back to normal and security apparatuses should remain on high alert.
On another note, the newspaper stated that Hezbollah’s Nasrallah discussed the situation in Iraq, and the control of various Iraqi towns by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
In this context, Nasrallah hailed the stance of religious authorities in Nineveh, emphasizing that the call to hold arms and fight against terrorists aims at defending the entire Iraqi nation.
As for the situation in Syria,
As-Safir newspaper mentioned that Nasrallah said that Hezbollah interfered at the right moment to prevent ISIL fighter from entering into Lebanon.
An-Nahar newspaper stated on Tuesday that National Struggle Front Leader MP Walid Jumblatt headed on Monday evening to Paris in a private visit that
will last for one week.
The newspaper mentioned that Jumblatt is expected to meet during his stay in Paris former President Michel Sleiman, and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to discuss with them the presidential entitlement.
In this same regard,
As-Safir newspaper quoted Jumblatt as saying that Lebanese factions should elect a consensual president and refrain from calling for the election of a “strong president”.
Parliamentary sources told
An-Nahar newspaper that lack of quorum during Wednesday’s legislative session aimed at electing a president proves that deputies boycotting the session do not have the intention to achieve this entitlement.
In this regard, the sources stated that the banquet that House Speaker Nabih Berri is holding today for his Kuwaiti counterpart Marzouq Al-Ghanim will be an appropriate occasion to discuss with deputies the presidential elections, as well as Thursday’s session aimed at discussing the series of ranks and salaries.
Sources reported to
As-Safir newspaper that discussions between Change and Reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri are continuous.
The sources did not rule out the possibility of holding a second meeting between the two officials in Paris, adding that dialogue between Hariri and Aoun is garnering the support of the United States.
In this regard,
As-Safir newspaper mentioned that US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale met few days ago with Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil, quoting Ambassador Hale as saying that Hariri’s talks with Aoun are honest and should yield fruitful results.