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.
Well-informed sources revealed that the issue of the presidential elections will top the discussions during the sixth session of the dialogue held between the Future Movement and Hezbollah, noting that the main item on the dialogue’s agenda that relates to calming the Sunni-Shiite tension, has been thoroughly discussed and handled.
In a statement to an-Nahar daily, the same sources ruled out the possibility of holding the sixth session during the current week, since preparations are ongoing to mark the tenth assassination anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri next Saturday at Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center (BIEL).
An-Nahar daily revealed that the concerned authorities set Thursday as a date to kick off the implementation of the security plan across the region of the northern Bekaa.
In this regard, the newspaper added that all the concerned military units and security apparatuses are prepared to enter the said region and impose the state’s authority.
Member of the Future bloc, MP Jean Ogassapian stressed that the position of the Future Movement has not changed and will remain the same, noting that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to deliver a speech on February 14, whereby he will tackle the latest developments concerning the course of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which accused Hezbollah members of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005.
In a statement to Asharq al-Awsat, MP Ogassapian stressed that Hariri is keen on rescuing the country and preventing in from total collapse.
“Disassociating the STL from the discussions of the Future-Hezbollah dialogue does not mean reaching a compromise over it, but aims at preventing any controversial matters from jeopardizing the talks,” he explained.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam explained that his meetings with 14 international and Arab officials aimed at proving Lebanon’s leading role in the region and at shedding light on the difficulties faced due to the Syrian crisis, mainly regarding the issue of the Syrian refugees and the fight against terrorism.
In a statement to as-Safir daily, Salam said that he urged the western states to help Lebanon overcome the current obstacles, in a bid to facilitate the election of a new president.
Commenting on his meeting with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Salam noted that the efforts deployed by the French authorities concerning the presidential issue are ongoing, pointing out that no final result has yet been reached.