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.
As-Safir newspaper reported on Monday that a French military delegation is set to arrive to the Lebanese capital Beirut later this month in order to hold talks with the Army Command.
Talks will feature high on the details of the first batch of French weapons due to be delivered to the Lebanese Armed Forces in the first week of April.
“This comes after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia paid, to the French side, nearly 20% of the deal worth $3 billion,” sources added.
“The latest achievements of the Lebanese Armed Forces are being made thanks to military supplies granted to the LAF and to the support of the country’s political forces and citizens to the military institution,” As-Safir daily quoted Prime Minister Tammam Salam as saying on Monday.
“The $1 billion grant that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri has been tasked with overseeing its delivery to the LAF, is being spent at a fast pace,” PM Salam said.
“Tuning to the $3 billion Saudi-funded deal that aims to provide French weapons to the LAF, Paris has announced that the first batch of arms will be delivered on April 4,” Salam added.
Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq said on Monday that a new wave of political assassinations is "very likely" to take place, citing security reports.
Nonetheless, Mashnouq said in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Lebanese security situation is, in general, under control given the political understandings and the keenness of all parties to fight terrorism.
The minister also noted that the situation in Lebanon is “good” in comparison with numerous surrounding countries, lauding the “courage” of the Lebanese Armed Forces chief Jean Kahwaji.
As-Safir newspaper reported on Monday that hundreds of Syrian refugees residing in Arsal tented settlements sought, during the last few days, to regularize their refugee status at the Lebanese General Security center that was recently established in the border town.
“Many others are also bracing for legitimizing their presence in Lebanon, which will encourage them later on to move into the tented settlements the state may decide to set up in Bekaa areas,” the daily said.
“It is likely to move the displaced Syrians, residing in Arsal and its barren range, into separate tented settlements in the Bekaa region, about 10 to 15 kilometers away from the border with Syria,” well-informed sources told the newspaper.