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.
Sources reported to Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Wednesday that the US Ambassador to Lebanon informed Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass that the United States will pledge financial support to Lebanon during an aid conference that will be held in Kuwait.
In this regard, the newspaper noted that Ambassador Hale did not disclose the amount of money that will be granted to Lebanon, stressing that it will be declared during the final formal announcements of the said conference.
House Speaker Nabih Berri stated on Wednesday that "dialogue between the Future Movement, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement may be 'the only light in the region’s darkness' which is currently grappling in conflicts and sectarian defragmentation."
In this regard, Berri told As-Safir newspaper that he informed delegations representing each party that they may not be able to save Lebanon; however, stressed that they will be capable of ending its deteriorating situation.
He also noted that the said dialogue sessions are the most serious among others that were previously held.
Deputy Henry Helou stated on Wednesday that he is still running for the presidential elections; however, noted that the fate of the session scheduled for today is expected to be similar to previous ones due to lack of quorum.
In this regard, MP Helou told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that progress was not witnessed at the presidential level, expressing his hope that parliamentarians elect a new president to end the country’s current impasse.
Spokesman of the families of the Arsal abducted troops Hussein Youssef stated on Wednesday that a Qatari delegation arrived this week to Beirut to follow up on the dossier of their loved ones.
Youssef told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the previous mediator Ahmad Al-Khatib had been replaced by a high-rank Qatari officials.
He also noted that the Qatari delegation will communicate with the Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State, adding that Lebanese authorities had vowed to secure the release of all troops.