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.
U.K. Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher expressed to
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday his concern over developments in Syria and the impact of the conflict on Lebanon.
Ambassador Fletcher added that the UK government did not take any decision to send weapons to the Syrian opposition, noting that his country is negotiating with the "opposition's moderate wing."
He also reiterated the UK's support of holding the Geneva 2 conference, hoping to find a solution for the Syrian crisis "via political means."
Sources told
As-Safir newspaper on Friday that the Lebanese security apparatus is expecting more "terrorist acts" targeting Hezbollah's strongholds throughout Lebanon, mainly the Beirut Southern Suburbs.
Sources added that several persons affiliated to al-Qaeda and the al-Nusra Front organizations arrived to Lebanon in order to carry out these assaults.
According to the Daily, the delegation also met with a politician in North Lebanon and two clerics but no further details were provided in this regard.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday that Speaker Nabih Berri is carrying out contacts with Lebanese leaders to hold an "Islamic dialogue table."
The dialogue table is set to include representatives of Amal and the Future movement alongside Hezbollah, aiming at easing down the sectarian tensions in the country.
According to the Daily, Speaker Berri is urging the Islamic dialogue table to convene" as soon as possible."
Change and Reform bloc MP Alain Aoun told
An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the Free Patriotic Movement finalized the legal study to appeal the extension of the parliament's mandate.
MP Aoun added that the appeal will be focusing on the security situation in Lebanon, which is being used as a "pretext" to extend the term of the parliament.
According to the Daily, MP Aoun voiced his full trust that the Constitutional Council will not reject the appeal.
Sources told
An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the General Authority session set to be held on Friday will be boycotted by the Change and Reform bloc.
Sources added that the session will be focusing only on the extension of the parliament's mandate.
In this context, parliamentary sources expect that quorum will range between 95 and 105 MPs.
According to the Daily, Speaker Nabih Berri is set to address a speech at the beginning of the session to explain the reasons behind the need for extending the parliament's mandate.