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.
Sources from the Progressive Socialist Party revealed that MP Walid Jumblatt’s visit to Moscow comes upon an invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he is set to meet with senior officials, mainly Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his deputy for Middle Eastern affairs.
The sources told al-Joumhouria daily that a meeting between Jumblatt and Russian President Vladimir Putin may take place during the visit.
Political sources said that the recent remarks made by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whereby he praised the leadership of the Future Movement and its way of dealing with the latest events that took place in the northern city of Tripoli, reflect “an obvious turn around in the Shiite party’s policy towards the 'other team'.”
Accordingly, member of the Future bloc, MP Ahmad Fatfat told al-Liwaa newspaper that the Future Movement is the one that called for holding dialogue between rival parties in the first place, adding that March 14 forces called for a dialogue over the presidential issue a few months ago.
“The dialogue with Hezbollah and its allies would take place under certain conditions, pertaining to the separation of Lebanese affairs from that of Syria, and agreeing over the need to deploy Lebanese security forces along the borders to control the situation,” he noted.
On another note, Fatfat stressed the importance of signing the Saudi-French contract regarding the grant offered to arm the Lebanese Armed Forces, given that the Lebanese government is unable to ensure such amounts.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem declared that Syria will soon receive S-300 missiles and other quality weapons from Russian arms manufacturers, noting that Syria has not asked Russia for a loan.
In a statement to al-Akhbar daily, al-Mouallem stressed that Syria has enough credit facilities from its Iranian ally, adding that a series of economic and commercial agreements set to enhance the economic sector have been signed between Russia and Syria.
However, the Syrian minister pointed out that Saudi Arabia has been and is still supporting terrorist groups and promoting hostility against Syria and its President Bashar Assad, stressing that “this policy will backfire against Saudi Arabia itself.”
Western diplomatic sources stressed that the presidential issue in Lebanon will soon be resolved despite the current obstructions.
On another note, an official from the French Defense Ministry told al-Hayat daily that the first batch of military equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces will start arriving to Lebanon during the first quarter of 2015, as part of a Saudi grant.
The deal, which will last 36 months, will involve about 20 French companies and cover a mix of land, sea and air equipment, including armored vehicles, heavy artillery, anti-tank missiles, mortars and assault weapons, the source said.
In this regard, the sources added that France had already delivered missiles to Lebanon during the mandate of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, revealing that Israel exerted pressure on the French authorities not to deliver those weapons.