Press Digest for Saturday April 06, 2013

                    
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.

• Saudi Envoy Assiri: Salam's nomination is a pure Lebanese choice                         

The Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri expressed on Saturday to As-Safir newspaper his hope of forming a new government in Lebanon which represents all Lebanese factions.                    

Asiri denied to the Daily any interference of the Saudi Arabia Kingdom in Lebanon's choices, stressing that the solution of all Lebanon's issues is in the hands of its people.              

Asiri pointed out that the current phase is crucial for Lebanon and the region, reiterating the kingdom's support for Lebanon on all levels.               

• MP Gemayel: Hezbollah will be represented in the new government                 

Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel asserted to An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that Hezbollah will be represented in the new cabinet despite the Western and European objection.              

Gemayel expressed his support to the nomination of MP Tamam Salam to head "the national salvation government", stressing that the top priority of this government should be carrying out of the parliamentary elections on their due time.                 

• MP Tamam Salam: Electoral draft-law is the new government's top priority            

Member of Parliament Tamam Salam asserted to As-Safir newspaper on Saturday that  if tasked to form the new government, the top priority would be the drafting of an electoral law and carrying out the parliamentary elections.               

Salam added that his government will exert efforts to solidify the civil peace and to restore law and order in Lebanon.                

• Hezbollah names MP Salam to prevent strife in Lebanon            

Political sources revealed to Al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday that Hezbollah accepted the nomination of MP Tamam Salam to head the new government to prevent sectarian strife in Lebanon.            

Sources asserted that Hezbollah did not object the nomination of MP Salam who "was chosen by the Saudi Arabia Kingdom" to avoid the Shiite-Sunnite strife in the country and the region.               

Sources added that Hezbollah hopes that the Sunnite authorities would take similar steps to prevent strife and maintain Lebanon's internal stability.                

• March 14 names MP Salam to form a technocrat government             

Sources in March 14 alliance told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that MP Tamam Salam's nomination came following an agreement with him to form a technocrat government.                     

Sources expected that MP Salam will form a government which includes 20 ministers tasked to prepare the upcoming parliamentary elections.