Press Digest for Thursday August 16, 2012

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.                                

• Questions raised on the fate of today’s dialogue session      

Al-Hayat Daily reported that Lebanese President Michel Sleiman will preside over a new dialogue session on Thursday in his Beiteddine’s summer residence to discuss a single-item agenda, namely the national defense strategy including Hezbollah’s arms.    

The session will likely see complete participation except for that of Future bloc leader Saad Hariri as well as other figures that will be absent under the pretext of traveling.   

Among the absent will also be Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea after he earlier declared his boycott of the national dialogue without objecting the participation of the March 14’s key components.     

In this context, March 14 sources denied that Future parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Siniora handed over Sleiman a memo on the behalf of the March 14 camp.   
                                   

• Assiri: Fate of diplomatic mission to be considered if situation worsens    

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Assiri explained to Al-Hayat Daily that the embassy has sent text messages to the Saudi citizens currently present in Lebanon asking them to leave immediately, especially in the wake of public threats to kidnap Saudis and other nationals.  

Assir explained to the daily that the Saudi mission will fulfill its duty around the clock amid security protection, adding that the fate of the Saudi diplomatic mission in Lebanon will be considered in the event of the deterioration of Lebanon’s security situation.        
                                 

• Contacts between PSP, Amal, Hezbollah to prevent kidnap incidents from spreading onto Mount Lebanon      

Al-Hayat Daily quoted official security sources as saying that contacts have intensified between the Progressive Socialist Party, Hezbollah and Amal Movement to foil the attempts of those circulating that kidnap incidents have spread onto Mount Lebanon, particularly in areas falling under the influence of PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt.     

The sources confirmed that it was agreed to prevent the incidents from spreading onto other areas to avoid dragging these regions into a state of chaos.                                

• Riad al-Asaad calls on Mokdad clan to exercise self-restraint  

Free Syrian Army leader Riad al-Asaad called on the Mokdad clan to exercise self-restraint, pointing out that kidnapping 20 Syrians in retaliation for the detaining of Hassan Mokdad will not solve the problem.     

In a statement to al-Rai Daily, al-Asaad called on the Mokdad clan to release the Syrians and to not act on instinct, confirming that “the Syrian regime will inevitably fall after we liberated the greatest part of the Syrian cities”. 

• Sleiman denies having received call from Assad

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman denied to Al-Anbaa Daily having received any call from Syrian President Bashar Assad after former Minister Michel Samaha’s plot was revealed.