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.
An-Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday that information received by Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq and General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim clarify that the dossier of abducted soldiers is now on the right track with respect to negotiations with Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State.
In this regard, the newspaper quoted prominent sources as saying that “there are various attempts to engage the army in the Qalamoun battles as well as ongoing efforts aimed at moving the camp of Syrian refugees from Arsal into other Lebanese regions.”
In response, official sources emphasized that the said issues are impossible knowing that there isn’t a military decision or a political cover aimed at supporting such initiatives.
An-Nahar newspaper stated on Tuesday that Change and Reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun and House Speaker Nabih Berri tackled during their meeting on Monday various dossiers that will be discussed at the parliament and government in the upcoming weeks.
According to An-Nahar, Berri informed MP Aoun that he will call for a legislative session before the end of March, a matter which requires negotiations among Christian parliamentary blocs knowing that these blocs are against legislating in the absence of a president.
Meanwhile, As-Safir newspaper reported that MP Aoun briefed Berri on the atmosphere of the expected dialogue with the Lebanese Forces, adding that Berri informed Aoun on certain details related to the Hezbollah-Future dialogue.
Kataeb Party MP Elie Marouni stated on Tuesday that his bloc’s position regarding a legislative session in the absence of a president is clear and consistent, emphasizing that the Kataeb party is against legislating unless this matter serves the election a new president to restore the work of all institutions.
In this regard, Marouni told An-Nahar Daily that the politburo of the party will convene when Berri calls for the session to either reiterate its position or to reconsider it.
“Our decision will be based upon the session's agenda,” he said.
National Struggle Front Leader MP Walid Jumblatt stated on Tuesday that he will hand over his parliamentary seat in the Chouf district to his son Taymour after resigning from parliament in May.
Jumblatt called via As-Safir newspaper for “coexisting with the vacuum at the presidential level and improving the crisis management conditions by consolidating the work of the government.”
MP Jumblatt held Christians accountable for void, stressing that “Maronites are experts in committing suicide,” and noting that he is not in favor of a military official reaching the presidency.
On another note, MP Jumblatt criticized the March 14 forces, emphasizing that “they wasted a historic opportunity to change the course of events following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.”
He also said via As-Safir Daily that he will testify before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon next June.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam is exerting his utmost efforts to restore the work of the cabinet.
The newspaper added that Salam is currently communicating with all Lebanese factions in a bid to halt any attempt aimed at disrupting the government’s work, adding that Lebanon’s political atmosphere is appropriate to achieve accomplishments on more than one level.