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.
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Kamel Al-Rafei stated on Saturday that "US Ambassador David Hale is interfering in internal affairs in an attempt to divide Lebanese people and impose the US authority on the Arab world."
Rafei told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that “Hezbollah’s positions and its victory at the Lebanese-Syrian borders disturbed the United States,” stressing that “the said country does not aim at defeating terrorism.”
He also noted that March 14 forces did not adhere to the self-disassociation policy, emphasizing that various positions were not against Hezbollah’s confrontation of takfiri groups.
“Hezbollah has the right to intervene because Syria is an Arab country,” he concluded.
Security sources reported to Al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday that a security plan will be launched in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs within two weeks.
In this regard, the newspaper noted that plan has not been finalized; however, emphasized that Lebanese factions did not voice their rejection to any security measure in the said region.
The sources also stated that the plan had been tackled during Hezbollah-Future Movement dialogue sessions held in Ain El-Tineh.
House Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Saturday the renewal of the government’s work, stressing that those who hindered the work of the cabinet had previously obstructed the work of the parliament.
In this context, Speaker Berri noted that this is the perfect time to legislate, emphasizing that he will call for a general authority session after the parliament’s regular session this month.
Berri told the Mustaqbal newspaper that the Amal has always been keen on adhering to the constitution so no one may impede the work of the cabinet.
As for the election of a president, Berri emphasized that a new head of state should have been elected before the 25th of March 2014, stressing that the 20th session will be held but there aren’t any indicators that a president will be elected.
Al-Akhbar newspaper stated on Saturday that a meeting will be held on Monday or Tuesday between Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan and Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi.
In this regard, the newspaper noted that Riachi will present to the FPM the last remarks pertaining the meeting between FPM Leader MP Michel Aoun and LF Chief Samir Geagea.