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.
Head of the Future Movement, former Prime Minister Fouad SIniora stated on Saturday that rhetoric pertaining to the situation in Iraq and Syria is unacceptable, stressing that the situation in Lebanon and other neighboring countries may not become better unless these countries agree on the necessity of building a modern, democratic state that respects the rights of citizens.
According to
As-Safir newspaper, Siniora voiced his concern over the situation of Christians in the region, expressing his solidarity with patriarchs and bishops in the Middle East.
On another note, Siniora stated that Lebanon’s immune system has become weak due to Hezbollah’s interference in Syria, calling for a radical solution for the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
An-Nahar newspaper stated on Saturday that each of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Kataeb Party Leader Amine Gemayel, Lebanese forces Chief Samir Geagea, former PM Fouad Siniora, Fares Soueid delivered a speech during the meeting which was held yesterday (Friday) between March 14 forces.
In this regard,
An-Nahar newspaper stated that former PM Hariri denied any link between his return to Lebanon and the presidential entitlement, hailing the Saudi grant aimed at supporting the Lebanese army.
Member of the Muslim Scholars Committee Sheikh Samih Ezzeddine, who headed the last delegation to Arsal, stated on Saturday that mediation efforts are not direct with armed men, adding that they are meeting new mediators every time they head to the border town.
Ezzeddine told
As-Safir newspaper that abducted security forces are all safe and sound, and were all transported from Arsal, emphasizing that the Muslim Scholars Committee does not know where they were transported to.
For his part, the Secretary of the Committee Housam Ghali told
As-Safir that some circumstances are hindering the release of abducted security forces, adding that difficulties are logistic and related to the continuous clashes in the mountainous region of Arsal.
He also added that abducted soldiers may not be released all at once, stressing that a delegation of the Muslim Scholars will head to the mountainous region to get an answer from armed groups regarding the demands of the military institution.
March 8 sources stated on Saturday that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who returned on Friday to Lebanon, does not have any new initiative aimed at ending the presidential deadlock.
The sources told
Al-Akhbar newspaper that Lebanese factions may no longer resolve the presidential issue, stressing that the said entitlement has become linked to all regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, sources from March 8 and others from the Future Movement denied to discuss any deal between Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and former PM Hariri regarding the election of a new president.