Press Digest for Sunday April 21, 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.

• PM-Designate Salam dismisses accusations         

Sources close to the Prime Minister-Desginate Tammam Salam reported that many deliberations were held during the past few days in regards to the formation of a new government.          

Well-informed sources told al-Hayat Daily that some parties accused Salam of ruling out consultations with the Lebanese parties by the formation of a ‘fait accompli’ government, however Salam voiced reassurance after the political parties realized that the said accusations are false.          

Same sources quoted PM-Designate as saying that “the parties who thought that Salam is opposing them have realized that their thoughts are merely assumptions”, noting that “this fact will have a positive impact on the formation of the government.”              

• Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah back on May 9       

Sources close to Hezbollah told an-Nahar Newspaper that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held a meeting with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei whereby both officials tackled the situation in the region and the Syrian crisis.        

Same sources reported that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will make a televised appearance on May 9 after he shied away from media coverage for more than two months.

• MP Houry: “March 8 coalition impairs the formation of the government”         

Future bloc MP Ammar Houry stressed that ‘the other party’ is adamant on hurdling the formation of the government as well as any agreement on a new electoral law for the upcoming parliamentary elections, noting that “the same party is trying to minimize its losses” by refusing the 'national unity government'.          

In this regard, MP Houry told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah Daily that the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam is doing his utmost to form the government, hoping that he will be able to overcome all obstacles and fulfill his duties.            

• Health Minister calls on Lebanese parties to steer clear of preconditions        

Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil told an-Nahar Daily that the direct consultations lead definitely to the formation of the government and guarantee an apt representation, noting that “a new government can be formed should the Lebanese parties overcome all the obstacles and hold contacts steering clear of preconditions."       

In this context, Khalil said that “the formation of a government indicates the parties’ ability to build good political relations”, pointing out that his party refuses to extend the mandate of the parliament but is keen on holding the upcoming  parliamentary elections on their due date.