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.
Al-Akhbar newspaper stated on Friday that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt voiced his support to the election of former MP Jean Obeid as president.
The newspaper added that Jumblatt told local and foreign officials that Lebanese deputies will have to elect a consensual president after Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea and Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun withdraw their candidacies.
Sources also reported to the newspaper that Bkerke officials did not reject the candidacy of former MP Obeid, pointing that the said officials called for the swift election of a president.
Ministerial sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday that discussions to release soldiers who were kidnapped in the northeastern border town of Arsal have become complicated, pointing out that armed men do not have a unified stance and are announcing new demands every day.
As for tasking General Security Chief Major General Chief Abbas Ibrahim with following up on the release of the soldiers, the sources told the newspaper that the Lebanese cabinet may not approve this step since it does not favor talks and negotiations with armed groups.
Arsal Mayor Ali Hjairi told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that the situation in Arsal is calm although some citizens were not able to leave their homes due to the presence of armed men in the town.
Regarding the incidents that erupted on Thursday, Hjairi said the situation is questionable, stressing that clashes did not erupt at the Wadi Al-Rahwa region and Lebanese Armed Forces are not deployed there.
Hjairi emphasized that a third party is trying to drag LAF soldiers towards a new battle with armed groups, stressing that this party does not aim at restoring calm in Arsal.
He also stated that some families left the town due to rumors about clashes with armed groups in Al-Rahwa region, even though the situation was calm.
Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that he will visit today (Friday) Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun at his residence in Rabieh.
Mashnouq told the newspaper that his visit aims at discussing the situation in Arsal, emphasizing that this dossier tops all other local issues.
On another note, Minister Mashnouq voiced via
As-Safir newspaper his concern over the repercussions of clashes in northern Syria, pointing out that the ongoing battles in Syria will lead to an influx of refugees into Lebanon and will also threaten the security situation at the Lebanese-Syrian borders.