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.
Kataeb Party Leader Amine Gemayel stated on Tuesday that he met in Paris Head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri and discussed with him various local and regional dossiers.
In this regard, Gemayel told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that he agreed with Hariri on the necessity of ending the presidential deadlock at the soonest possible, adding that the priority remains for a candidate from the March 14 coalition.
On another note, Gemayel denied that he held talks with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt in Paris, stressing that they both live in the same country and had recently met in Bekfaya.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed on Tuesday his disappointment over the stalemate reached in the dossier of abducted Lebanese troops, pointing out that he has been transparent and honest since early stages of negotiations aimed for their release.
In this regard, PM Salam told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that he vowed to exert his utmost efforts to secure the release of the troops; however, emphasized that nothing is guaranteed when dealing with armed groups.
PM Salam also noted that the Qatari envoy is still negotiating for the release of the kidnapped soldiers, adding that all Lebanese authorities have put forth their efforts in this regard.
He also stated that all scenarios have become possible in light of methods adopted by armed groups in Arsal and their attempt to violate the Lebanese territories, adding that the latest clashes in the mountainous region of Brital were expected since terrorists aim at opening all possible fronts with Lebanon.
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Al-Walid Succariyeh stated on Tuesday that the attack against Hezbollah locations in Brital was not surprising; stressing that Hezbollah fighters were able to confront terrorists and protect their location in the said town.
Succariyeh told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the attack did not aim at opening a humanitarian corridor, emphasizing that the main goal was killing fighters from Hezbollah and weakening the strength of the Resistance.
The deputy did not rule out the possibility of similar attacks in the near future, adding that Lebanese authorities did not immediately handle the dossier of abducted troops in a serious manner.
“Counting on Qatari and Turkish mediation to release the abducted troops is a waste of time,” MP Succariyeh added.
Head of the Private Schools Teachers Association Nehme Mahfoud stated on Tuesday that the Union Coordinating Committee was able to maintain its unity despite the political pressures exerted.
Mahfoud told the
Al-Anbaa newspaper that referring the pay scale to the joint parliamentary committees is considered a victory for the UCC against officials who were trying to pass the series of ranks and salaries in an unjust manner.
Mahfoud also noted that the UCC will re-escalate its measures if the joint parliamentary committees fail to amend the new wage hike within two weeks.