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.
After the Arsal incident and the televised
interview of Former PM Saad Hariri, tension returned to the forefront between the
Future Movement and Hezbollah seemingly since Hezbollah implicitly accused the
Future Movement of the incident.
In this context, sources close to
Former PM Saad Hariri told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that this issue is a means
to take no notice of Hariri's initiative since it was positively received among the Christians.
Sources said that Hezbollah is holding various contacts on the political and media
levels in order to offend the Future movement and its relation with the
military institution.
The sources added that the political and media offices of Hezbollah called for
raising campaigns against the Future Movement on the backdrop of various files
including the initiative of Hariri and the attempt to keep it aside and support
the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft; thus, exploiting the Arsal incident
to keep MP Aoun among the top Christian leaders.
In the same context, Sources close to the Head of the National Struggle Front
MP Walid Jumblatt quoted him as saying that "a security situation might
disrupt the parliamentary elections".
- Houri:
We refrain from attending the joint committee's meetings
Future Bloc MP
Amar Houri told
Acharq al Awsat newspaper that
his bloc is still on its stance regarding the joint committee if cabinet were
represented in the meetings.
"We will
refrain from attending even if the committee were to discuss the electoral law
that our deputies presented," Houri said.
Shortly after Former PM Saad Hariri's appearance on
Kalam Ennas, whereby he
said that the LF Chief Samir Geagea is among his candidates for presidency,
Geagea expressed to
Al-Akhbar newspaper his astonishment since Hariri
previously said "Geagea is our sole candidate".
In this context, March14 officials quoted to
Al-Akhbar newspaper LF Chief Geagea
as saying: "I did not ask from Hariri nor from anyone else to nominate me for President since this issue is not only related to internal factors, but
also to local, Arab and international issues".
Al-Joumhouria newspaper said on Tuesday that
the Kataeb Party Leader Amine Gemayel discussed during his meeting with the
French President Francois Hollande various issues whereby he called for
France's help so Lebanon may regain
its sovereignty and maintain security and stability.
In this context, Gemayel called
for the further implementation of UN resolution 1701 in all its articles including the prevention of the use of illegal weapons. He also called for dissociating Lebanon
from all neighboring events in order to implement the Baabda Agreement.
Gemayel also asked for support from international
institutions and countries that apply the laws of decentralization to transfer
their experiences to Lebanon in terms of elections and ensuring the rights of
Lebanese groups.
It is worth noting that Gemayel asked for assisting Lebanon to overcome the
Syrian crisis and its repercussions and help contain the displaced persons who
are now in the hundreds and thousands; a number that exceeds the Lebanese demographic
capacity, and threatens the security, economic, and social stability.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday that Western Diplomatic
Missions in Lebanon held in the past few hours talks with various Lebanese
officials to discuss the Arsal incident.
The sources added that the Diplomatic Missions expressed their concern
regarding the stances they heard seemingly since they sensed the "same old
division" at a time when western countries are working to arm the Lebanese army, train its forces, and provide
them with weapons and equipment.