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.
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that he supports Minister of Health Wael Abou Faour in his battle against the food corruption dossier.
MP Jumblatt also noted that the campaign launched against the violating restaurants and supermarkets will continue, adding that the health of the Lebanese people is "in danger."
He concluded by saying that he asked Minister of Agriculture Akram Chehayeb to unveil the corruption in the Lebanese agricultural sector.
Sources quoted Speaker Nabih Berri as saying on Wednesday that the extension of the parliament's mandate was a "must", adding that the power vacuum would have had dangerous consequences on the country.
The same sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Berri downplayed claims that the extension of the parliament's term is "illegitimate."
According to the daily, the sources noted that Berri is holding contacts with various Lebanese leaders in order to hold the presidential elections as soon as possible.
Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that a dialogue may be launched between the Future Movement and Hezbollah in the near future.
The same sources said that such a dialogue comes in light of the latest US-Iranian rapprochement over Tehran's nuclear file.
According to the daily, the sources noted that an agreement over the Iranian nuclear power will be reached before the 24th of November.
Kataeb party leader MP Amine Gemayel told al-Seyassah newspaper on Wednesday that the extension of the parliament's term violates Lebanon's democracy.
Gemayel also noted that Lebanon is going through a dangerous political and constitutional phase, adding the extension of the legislators' term was met with dismay from the Lebanese people.
As for the Iranian grant for the Lebanese Armed Forces, Gemayel asserted that he welcomes any aid for the army, stressing however that the international sanctions imposed on Tehran remain an obstacle in this regard.
Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the bloc will probably challenge the extension of the parliament's mandate before the Constitutional Council today (Wednesday).
MP Kanaan also revealed that the MPs who signed the appeal are the following: MP Michel Aoun, Ibrahim Kanaan, Hekmat Dib, Alain Aoun, Ziad Aswad, Edgard Maalouf, Simon Abi Ramia, Nabil Nicolas, Naji Gharios and Fadi al-Aawar.