Press Digest for Wednesday January 02, 2013

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. 

• Alternative suggestion for Sleiman to engage in bilateral contacts           

Well-informed political sources told Al Hayat Daily on Wednesday that a suggestion was made for President Michel Sleiman to take an alternative step as long as the dialogue table is elusive. This step would stipulate that he engages in bilateral contacts with different parties to discuss the possibility of reaching a consensus on the governmental change and on the management of the crisis in the next phase.       

• The possibility of a dialogue between Berri and the Future bloc        

Political sources told Al Hayat Daily on Wednesday that the contacts which activated the smaller parliamentary committee in charge of discussing the electoral law, led to meetings held far from the limelight between Future bloc MPs and others from Berri’s Development and Liberation Bloc to try to find a serious approach to deal with controversial issues and hoping to launch a dialogue between the Future bloc and Hezbollah. Past attempts were faced with Hezbollah’s refusal and the lack of enthusiasm shown by Future bloc members who thought that the party’s regional approach does not yield positive results.       

• Contacts, consultations underway to form an impartial government      

Well-informed sources told the Kuwaiti Daily Al Anbaa on Wednesday that March 14 is not in a rush to go back to the dialogue table “since it considers that current developments are to its advantage especially if the Syrian regime falls.” The sources added that if consultations do not lead to a new electoral law, elections will be held based on the 1960s law, “which means that March 14 will achieve a new victory allowing it to go back to power without having to make concessions to March 8.”       

The sources told the Daily that consultations and contacts are underway to form an impartial government, adding “some names are being thrown around to preside this government in light of a consensus between all political parties and under a regional and international cover.”          

• Gemayel to inform Sleiman of boycott reasons      

Sources told Kuwaiti Daily Al Anbaa on Wednesday that the head of the Kataeb party Amine Gemayel will send a letter to President Michel Sleiman explaining the reasons why March 14 is boycotting the national dialogue. The letter will include the opposition’s alternative suggestion which stipulates the formation of an impartial government to oversee parliamentary elections, which the majority is still refusing.        

New consultations are reportedly expected to be held by President Michel Sleiman with the boycotting political leaders whether directly or through envoys, urging them to participate in the dialogue.