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.
MP Ibrahim Kanaan stressed
that, until now, there is no final decision to boycott the parliamentary consultations
expected to kick off on Friday to name a new prime minister, saying: “We will
take the right decision at the right time concerning the designation of a new
premier who must have clear and specific obligations and positions.”
In this context, Kanaan
told
an-Nahar Daily that the Change and Reform bloc’s priority is to reach a
new electoral law, noting that the Orthodox gathering draft law must continue
its legislative course by being discussed during a parliamentary session, where
all the blocs which have declared their support to the proposal must assume their
responsibilities in implementing their announcements.
However, Kanaan pointed
out that naming a new prime minister and passing a new electoral law are completely
different matters, adding that they are against the extension of the Parliament’s
mandate and political void.
MP Nohad Al Machnouk said
that the Future bloc will not present its candidatures no matter the electoral
law, before holding discussions with its allies from the Lebanese Forces,
Kataeb party and the independents from the March 14 coalition.
On the other hand,
an-Nahar Newspaper reported that the deputy
Speaker Farid Makari had briefed President Michel Sleiman on the outcome of the
talks held in Riyadh, and which defined the characteristics of the designate
premier and the next cabinet which will supervise the parliamentary
elections.
Well-informed sources
revealed to
as-Safir Daily that Lebanon is currently witnessing a dilemma
related to the oil sector, especially after the declaration of the companies
which submitted offers to participate in the exploration for oil, noting that, “even
though the results were encouraging, the country still faces technical
obstacles amid the current governmental void.”
The sources added that the
main obstacle facing the project is failing to issue a decree concerning the
division of the sea into “blocs” and another decree related to the conditions
and forms of exploration and production, while such decrees should have been
issued before the resignation of the cabinet.
In this context, caretaker
Energy Minister Gebran Bassil told the daily that these decrees are essential,
noting that the ministry is currently working on completing the required steps,
until the formation of a new cabinet.
Sources close to Hezbollah
told
as-Safir Daily that the party seeks “a new prime minister who must be
balanced and not one-sided,” noting that the call for the formation of a
neutral cabinet is unrealistic and aims at excluding Hezbollah from the government
upon the request of the US.
The sources pointed out
that the current situation prevailing over the country requires the formation
of a political cabinet, capable of assuming responsibility, stressing the
need to reach a new electoral law in order to hold the elections on time.
As-Safir Daily reported
that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told his visitors that local and
foreign developments led him to take the decision of resigning; stressing that
he expressed his concern regarding upcoming events which may be very difficult.
According to the
newspaper, Mikati strongly denied reports stating that American officials had
any role in his step, pointing out that he only informed Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmed Davutoglu who asked him to stay.