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.
Future Bloc MP Mohammad Hajjar stated on Saturday that the presidential deadlock may not end soon, stressing that negotiations and contacts are not leading to an agreement among Lebanese factions.
In the same regard, Hajjar told the Kuwaiti newspaper
As-Seyassah that foreign officials intervened in the presidential entitlement.
On another note, MP Hajjar said that Hezbollah’s intervention in the Syrian crisis led to the engagement of Lebanon in regional conflicts, and exposed the country to various crises since the beginning of the Syrian uprising.
Former Minister Alaeddine Terro questioned on Saturday the cabinet’s capability of addressing prominent dossiers in light of presidential void and the disruption of the parliament’s work.
In this regard, Terro told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that deputies may work for the benefit of those who elected them; however, stressed that ministers may not work for a certain region or sect, pointing out that the cabinet should work for all Lebanese citizens in various regions of the country.
Visitors of Prime Minister Tammam Salam stated on Saturday that the latter expressed his concern over the atmosphere that prevailed on the latest cabinet sessions, quoting him as saying that some ministers are disrupting the cabinet’s work.
According to
An-Nahar newspaper, PM Salam told his visitors that the situation in Lebanon is critical, adding that presidential void is disrupting the work of the cabinet as well as the benefits of Lebanese citizens.
In this regard, the newspaper stated that Salam called on all Lebanese factions to unite their efforts to elect a president in a bid to maintain the country’s stability and security.
On another note, sources reported to
An-Nahar newspaper that PM Salam will not call for a cabinet session in the upcoming week, stressing that he is waiting for an agreement on a number of conflicting dossiers.
An-Nahar newspaper stated on Saturday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam contacted yesterday (Friday) representatives of various countries and discussed with them the repercussions of the situation in Gaza on Lebanon.
In this regard, the newspaper mentioned that PM Salam assured that Lebanese authorities as well as the Resistance are not responsible for the rockets that were launched from South Lebanon towards Israel.
The newspaper also stated that PM Salam reiterated Lebanon’s adherence to the 1701 resolution.