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.
French sources reported to
An-Nahar Daily that French President Francois Hollande who recently met with Lebanese officials, is seeking to maintain stability in Lebanon during the rough times the region is facing to prevent the “import” of the Syrian crisis to Lebanon.
The sources added that the French authorities are working to reach a consensus that all Lebanese political parties would approve, including holding dialogue sessions and the preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections that “should be held on their due time.”
According to the sources, France and the international community are concerned that "the long-term Syrian crisis’ repercussions would affect Lebanon."
In his interview with LBCI’s
Kalam Nas TV show on Thursday evening, former PM Saad Hariri will be revealing the content of the electoral draft law proposed by the Future Movement.
In this context, informed sources told
Al Joumhouria Daily that Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri discussed during their phone call on Wednesday the preparations for launching the Future Movement’s electoral proposal.
The sources added that the proposal suggests holding the elections according to a majoritarian system and dividing Lebanon into 36 electoral districts, stressing that MP Walid Jumblatt is against Hariri’s proposal.
During his interview tonight, Hariri is expected to tackle the following issues: March 14’s union, the upcoming elections and the law according to which they will be conducted, his return to Lebanon, Hezbollah’s arms and the Syrian crisis.
In an interview with
Al Liwaa Daily, MP Walid Jumblatt said that during his meeting with former PM Saad Hariri in Paris, the two discussed the latest events in the Arab World and Lebanon and stressed on the necessity to achieve stability and dialogue.
On the elections, Jumblatt revealed that he and Hariri agreed that "the electoral draft law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering violates the notion of coexistence. "
When asked if this was a reconciliation meeting, Jumblatt emphasized that "there wasn’t a personal disagreement in the first place."
In an interview with
Almustaqbal Daily, Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said that the parliamentary sub-committee’s meeting on Wednesday aimed at “buying time”.
Fatfat added that all parties are now aware that they cannot continue with the same plane, stressing that he’s awaiting former PM Saad Hariri’s statements that the latter is expected to deliver during his interview with LBCI’s
Kalam Nas TV show on Thursday evening.
Informed sources told
An-Nahar Daily that the Lebanese-Turkish talks that were held on Wednesday concerning the issue of the Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria’s Aazaz by Syrian rebels were not fruitful.
According to the sources, the results of the discussions "are not encouraging" and the detainees' case "still has to overcome many obstacles".