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.
Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel said in an interview with
As Safir Daily that he cannot refuse any initiative proposed by President Michel Sleiman, and therefore will be attending the National Dialogue session scheduled for the 7th of January even if his allies in March 14 boycott it.
According to Gemayel, this decision is related to the respect of the presidency and what it represents.
“If some essential political parties refuse to participate in the dialogue, the President must learn from past experiences and make the right decision,” Gemayel added.
Diplomatic sources told the Kuwaiti Newspaper
Al Rai that "a deal concerning the transitional phase after the fall of the Syrian regime is expected to be concluded between the US and Russia by the end of February."
The sources added that “Russia, who admits that the Syrian crisis cannot last, is no longer adhering to President Bashar Assad and prefers reaching a consensus with the US approved by the influential countries in the region, fair to all the Syrians and capable of preventing chaos after the regime is toppled.”
According to the sources, “Russia and the US made significant strides regarding the Syrian crisis and are now negotiating the transitional phase, stressing that the two parties are discussing names after the Syrian Opposition Coalition failed to prove itself a replacement of the current regime.”
The sources also reported that “the two countries will also agree on a transitional cabinet that represents all the Syrian parties and that will be supported by the UN Security Council.”
Asharaq Alawsat Newspaper published on Thursday that a US official at the State Department denied having any knowledge of the whereabouts of the Syrian spokesman Jihad Makdissi.
The official stressed that it is uncertain whether Makdissi arrived to the US after circulated information reported that he has defected from the Syrian regime. He also refused to confirm any involvement of the CIA in this case.
In this regard, the British Daily
The Guardian, reported on Wednesday that the CIA refused to answer questions about Makdissi.
Former Interior Minister Ziad Baroud told
Al Akhbar daily that he is not a neutral politician and that his positions concerning all issues are very clear.
Baroud added that he’s still uncertain about his elections’ choices, affirming that he might run for parliamentary elections as an independent candidate or by allying with the Free Patriotic Movement and that he might as well abstain from the elections all together.