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.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that he is "convinced" in regards to his resignation decision, adding that no external pressures were
imposed.
Miktai told
As-Safir newspaper that "Hezbollah was the least
demanding in the government" adding that he respects the party's decision pertaining to the extension of the mandate of the Internal Security Forces Director
General Ashraf Rifi.
Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea rejected all calls for
dialogue, even calls made by March14 forces and Speaker Nabih Berri,
considering that forming a new cabinet is currently the priority.
Geagea told
Al-Akhbar newspaper that “after the cabinet’s
resignation, Lebanese factions should not waste time due to the circumstances
the country is passing through”.
In this context, Geagea said that it is important to form a
cabinet that gives new hopes regarding the formation of an electoral law and
puts an end to the economic crisis Lebanon is witnessing.
- Future Bloc says ready to participate
in dialogue
Sources close to the Head of the
Future Bloc Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the Bloc is ready to accept
any call for dialogue made by Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, in order to
discuss the issue of the elections and that of the cabinet.
In this context, the sources told
As-Safir newspaper that
the Future’s Bloc only condition to participate in dialogue was the resignation
of the cabinet.
Regarding the formation of a new
cabinet, the sources said that neither the Future Bloc, nor March14 forces
discussed the appointment of the a new prime minister.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
considered that national dialogue has become an urgent and necessary issue in
order to set the outlines for the upcoming parliamentary elections and the
formation of a new cabinet.
Berri told
As-Safir newspaper that he
is against the formation of a neutral government since the situation in the
country and the region requires a political government capable of passing this
stage with the least possible losses.
As for the electoral law, Berri said
that the 1960’s electoral law has become ‘out of the electoral equation’.
“If political forces do not present
their candidature applications on the basis of the 1960’s law, I will call for
a legislative session to vote for the Orthodox Gathering’s electoral
law,” Berri said.
March14 sources told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Najib
Mikati was a step that will provoke positive reactions to overcome the current
situation by resuming dialogue under the chairmanship of President Michel
Sleiman.
The sources added that
March14’s condition to participate in dialogue was the resignation of the
cabinet and added that these forces will attend national dialogue sessions if
other parties are serious and ready to solve the political crisis the
country is witnessing.