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.
Change and Reform Bloc MP Naji Gharios stated on Saturday that a consensual president will not be able to achieve any progress at the national level during his mandate, emphasizing that MP Michel Aoun will not withdraw his candidacy.
MP Gharios told the Kuwaiti newspaper
As-Seyassah that presidential elections do not aim at fulfilling void at the first presidency, stressing that there are mistakes threatening Lebanon’s unity and economy.
In this regard, MP Gharios emphasized the necessity of electing a president capable of resolving this issues and changing the situation in the country.
MP Nehme Tohme stated on Saturday that the meeting held between Head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt and Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea was positive, stressing that the two officials did not discuss names of candidates for the presidential elections.
Tohme called via
Al-Joumhouria newspaper for speeding up the election of a president, stressing that threats are surrounding the entire region.
He also noted that talks may be held between PSP leader and Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai especially after the latter’s meeting with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Rome.
Culture Minister Rony Arayji stated on Saturday that only a consensual candidate will be elected as a president.
In this regard, Arayji told
An-Nahar newspaper that a candidate from the March 8 or March 14 camp will not give up on his political concepts, but will have to play a consensual role when elected as president of the republic.
On another note, Minister Arayji noted that the visit of UN and Arab League peace envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura to Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organization, is a positive initiative since Hezbollah is an important component in Lebanon and has ministers at the cabinet and deputies representing the Lebanese people.
Sources close to Al-Nusra Front reported to
As-Safir newspaper that the military leader of the front, Abi Samir Al-Urdoni, was not replaced on the backdrop of his injury.
The sources noted that the latter defected from the front, stressing that he is the first Jordanian leader to leave the Al-Nusra Front.
The sources did not specify whether Al-Ordoni is currently working with the Islamic State, but did not rule out this possibility, hinting that this was the only reason behind his defection.