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.
An-Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri will meet in the upcoming few days with US Secretary of State John Kerry who will visit Paris to tackle with officials the situation in Iraq and the region.
The newspaper added that Hariri will also meet French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and will discuss with him he latest international and regional developments as well as the situation in Lebanon.
In the same regard,
An-Nahar mentioned that Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt will meet French President Francois Hollande to address the situation in Lebanon.
Sources reported to
An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam called upon ministers to attend a regular cabinet session on Thursday the 26th of June at 10 am.
The sources added to the newspaper that the agenda of the session is comprised of 27 items, pointing out that ministers have the right to amend these items 72 hours before the session.
The sources also mentioned that PM Salam held talks yesterday (Monday) with a number of ministers, stressing that the latter assured that he will base his upcoming positions on the result of the scheduled cabinet session.
Tourism Minister Michel Faraon stated on Tuesday that Lebanon’s priority is the election of a new president, stressing that "the parliament and cabinet’s work will never be enough so long as vacuum remains at the presidential level."
Minister Faraon told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun is not negotiating with others possible means to resolve the conflict of the presidential entitlement, stressing that the program of March 14’s candidate, Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea, is clear and accurate.
In this regard, Faraon noted that his political party is ready to discuss with all Lebanese factions Geagea’s electoral program.
On another note, Faraon told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the travel warning issued by the United Arab Emirates does not prevent citizens from visiting Lebanon, stressing that the Lebanese are only seeking security and stability.
Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass stated on Tuesday that the cabinet did not convene in the past few weeks seemingly since Prime Minister Tammam Salam was abroad.
Derbass told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the cabinet is not seeking any specific mechanism to carry out its duties, adding that it will adhere to its responsibilities as stated by the constitution.
In this regard, Minister Derbass mentioned that the Prime Minister usually sets the cabinet’s agenda 48 hours prior to the session; however, emphasized that PM Salam will set it 72 hours before the session in order to give ministers the opportunity to discuss it in light of the vacuum prevalent at the presidential level.