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.
Political sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the Future bloc agreed with the National Struggle Front's leader Walid Jumblatt that the latter will submit to Speaker Nabih Berri the electoral draft law proposed by both the Future bloc and the National Struggle Front. Sources added that Berri expressed discontent with the signing of the electoral bodies' decree during his last meeting with Jumblatt, noting that the next step would be to call on the general authorities to convene and to vote on the proposed electoral draft laws.
A gulf diplomat revealed to Al-Seyassah newspaper on Friday that Interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council's states are blacklisting all supporters of FPM's leader Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and some Druze figures affiliated with MP Walid Jumblatt and Talal Ereslan, due to their tight relations with Iran and Syria. The sources added that the next few weeks will witness the imposing of tight economic measures on these figures, as well as the calling on the Arab Foreign ministers to suspend Lebanon's participation in the Arab league.
A western diplomat told As-Safir newspaper on Friday that some western states, mainly the USA, want to hold the upcoming parliamentary elections on their due time even on the basis of the 60's law for fear of vacancy. The diplomat pointed out that the Western sources wish to see the upcoming parliamentary elections held successfully due to "their positive impact on Lebanon's stability and economy".
Sources close to the US Department of State confirmed to Al Joumhouria newspaper on Friday rumors saying that Iran may be helping Hezbollah in digging tunnels in the region of Hermel. The sources expressed concerns over Hezbollah's activities in Lebanon's northeast region of Baalbek-Hermel, amid the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.