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 Ammar Houri stated on Thursday that negotiations between Head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri, Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea, and member of the Kataeb parliamentary bloc MP Sami Gemayel in Saudi Arabia, are part of periodic talks between March 14 forces.
MP Houri told the Kuwaiti newspaper
As-Seyassah that officials discussed pending political issues, mainly the presidential elections, extending parliament’s mandate, and the new wage hike.
Houri also noted that prolonging parliament’s mandate will take up a great part of the negotiations between allies in order garner a unified positive stance on the issue.
He also emphasized that after prolonging the mandate of parliament, deputies will put forth all their efforts to elect a new president.
A military source reported to
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that Lebanese Armed Forces Chief Major General Jean Kahwagi did not discuss with American officials the Iranian military grant to Lebanon, stressing that the grant should be passed at cabinet first.
“Rumors about rejecting the grant are baseless. Lebanon’s political authority is still discussing the issue,” the source said.
On another note, the source stated that Kahwagi’s visit to Washington was fruitful; pointing out that US aid to the Lebanese army has exceeded 1 billion US dollars in recent periods.
Sources also said that discussions in the US focused on arming Lebanese troops in light of the challenges they are facing.
The
Al-Joumhouria newspaper stated on Thursday that General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim arrived on Tuesday evening to Beirut.
The newspaper noted that Major General Ibrahim held various talks with officials in Qatar aimed at resolving the issue of troops who were kidnapped during clashes with armed men in Arsal, and securing their release.
The
Al-Joumhouria Daily also stated that Ibrahim is currently waiting for the arrival of the Qatari envoy to Lebanon, emphasizing that the latter will head to the mountainous region of Arsal where he will hold talks with kidnappers and receive their official demands in order to release abducted troops.
The
An-Nahar newspaper stated on Thursday that Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel’s visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was upon the request and invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
The newspaper noted that the Saudi FM discussed with MP Gemayel Saudi Arabia’s constants, and tackled with him the situation in the region and Lebanon, adding that he highlighted the necessity of reaching consensus and electing a new president.
According to the newspaper, the Saudi Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of reaching an agreement among Christian factions, pointing out that void at the presidential level is hindering the work of all state institutions.
The two officials did not discuss the issue of extending parliament’s mandate, the newspaper said.