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.
Environment Minister Mohammad Mashnouq stated that the dossier of solid waste management will be discussed during the cabinet session scheduled for today (Thursday).
In this regard, Minister Mashnouq told An-Nahar newspaper that Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi and Economy Minister Alain Hakim did not voice their rejection to listing the said dossier on the agenda of the session.
He also noted that the solid waste management national plan covers the regions of North Lebanon, Akkar, Keserwan, Met, Beirut, Baabda, Alley, and Chouf, stressing that another plan will be set to cover South Lebanon and the Bekaa.
Sources reported to An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai was not successful in convening a meeting for Christian officials in Bkerke to tackle the presidential elections.
The sources also noted that certain officials voiced their rejection to any foreign intervention in the presidential deadlock, pointing out that the said dossier will keep on rotating inside a vicious circle.
Sources close to the Future Movement stated on Thursday that dialogue with Hezbollah will be discussed in all its details between former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, MP Fouad Siniora, Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq, and Deputies Ghattas Khoury, Bassem Sabeh, and Nader Hariri.
In this regard, the sources told As-Safir newspaper that the meeting which will be held in Saudi Arabia aims at putting the final touches on the agenda of the said dialogue, pointing out that easing the tension between Shiites and Sunnis as well as the election of a new president are the priorities of former PM Hariri.
Sources quoted House Speaker Nabih Berri as saying that the latest political developments are not suitable for the election of a new president.
On another note, the sources told An-Nahar newspaper that Speaker Berri assured to deputies that dialogue between Hezbollah and the Future Movement will be held under his chairmanship between the holidays.
The newspaper quoted deputies as saying that the agenda of the said dialogue session will not include the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as well as the work of the Resistance, stressing that it will focus on the electoral law and the election of a president as well as means of maintaining stability in Lebanon and supporting the military institution.