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.
Speaker Nabih Berri denied on Friday to
An-Nahar newspaper information published in media outlets about the March 8 alliance hindering the formation of the new government.
He also said that the March 8 alliance does not link the formation of the government with the drafting of a new electoral law.
In this context, sources revealed to the Daily that the Kataeb party is not contented with the hybrid draft law suggested by Speaker Berri, saying that it does not give "apt representation for Christians in Lebanon."
MP Boutros Harb said to
Al-Liwaa newspaper on Friday that the March 8 alliance is hampering the formation of the new government.
He added that the March 8 alliance is linking the formation of a new
government with the drafting of a new electoral law.
MP Harb also pointed out that Caretaker Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil
"violated the constitution by forming a body to oversee the exploration
of gas in Lebanon".
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri said on Friday to
Al-Liwaa newspaper that the consensus among Lebanese factions over the nomination of Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will pave the way for reaching consensus over all pending issues.
Ambassador Asiri denied the interference of the Saudi Kingdom in Lebanese internal affairs, reiterating the Kingdom's support for Lebanon on all levels.
According to the Daily, ambassador Asiri urged Lebanese factions to form a new government as soon as possible to help donor countries fulfill their financial commitments to Lebanon.
Sources revealed to
Al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday that the Change and Reform bloc will submit a new electoral draft law during the Parliamentary Communications Commission's session set to be held on Friday.
Sources added that the Free Patriotic Movement decided to suspend the Orthodox Gathering's draft law in order to give the new draft law a chance.
According to the Daily, the draft law to be submitted gives apt representation for Christians and minority groups in Lebanon.
Sources close to the Free Syrian Army revealed on Friday to
al Sharq al Awsat newspaper that fighters from Lebanon, Iraq, India, Pakistan and Iran entered the Syrian territories to fight rebels.
According to the Daily, the sources asserted that these fighters are Shiite men who received intensive training from Hezbollah.