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
An-Nahar Daily that the French President Francois Hollande received a letter from Former PM Saad Hariri on the occasion of his short visit to Lebanon.
Hariri explains in his letter that March 14 bloc will continue to boycott the parliamentary activities and the National Dialogue sessions as long as the current cabinet is still in power.
Hariri added that the bloc is demanding the formation of a neutral cabinet, stressing that “March 14 wants to put an end for the arms (Hezbllah’s) threats and its relation with a regional agenda.”
The former PM emphasized that March 14 will only seek democratic and civil actions to achieve its goals.
Aleppo’s Maronite Archbishop, Bishop Anis Abi Aad reported to
An-Nahar daily that the situation of the Maronites in Syria is affected by the crisis, stressing that there are several dead, wounded and displaced people in some of the city’s neighborhoods where clashes are erupting.
Abi Aad added that 450 persons from different confessions are currently staying at two Maronite schools in Aleppo, revealing that the Franciscan and the Jesuit Orders are cooperating to provide 6000 meals everyday for homeless people who seek monasteries and mosques for shelter.
A March 8 figure told
Al Hayat Daily that the opposition is making a mistake by boycotting the government’s activities, stressing that the cabinet was not affected and is pursuing its work.
The politician added that the formation of a neutral cabinet as March 14 is requesting is impossible since the political parties have to agree first, emphasizing that the circulating information about forming a new cabinet is false.
French sources told
Al Hayat Daily that the French President Francois Hollande intends in his short visit to Lebanon supporting President Michel Sleiman since he’s the sole top official he will be meeting.
The sources added that that France is supporting Sleiman who’s been playing a very important role lately, especially after the assassination of ISF’s Brig. Gen. Wissan Al-Hassan.
The sources also revealed that Hollande will hold talks with President Sleiman, Saudi officials and his European partners before suggesting any proposal or solution for the Lebanese crisis.
In an interview with
An-Nahar Daily, PM Najib Mikati’s sources hoped that the cabinet will finalize the study of the remaining clauses of the ranks and salaries scale’s financing project.
The sources added that the Lebanese government is not ready to submit to the strikes' pressure, stressing that this issue is very delicate, for any wrong financial decision might affect the economy and might cause an inflation.