Press Digest for Saturday June 1, 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.

• President Sleiman: Extending the parliament's mandate violates constitution

President Michel Sleiman told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that he rejects the extension of the parliament's mandate, adding that he will appeal the decision approved in the parliament.

President Sleiamn said that the extension violated the Lebanese constitution, noting that reasons behind the extension are "not convincing and do not justify the postponement of the parliamentary elections."

He hoped that the Constitutional Council would approve the appeal before the end of the current parliament's mandate set for June 20.

In this context, sources revealed to the Daily that the extension law may be published on Saturday or Monday in the official gazette.

• Progress in the case of the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz

Sources revealed on Saturday to An-Nahar newspaper that " a significant progress" occurred in the case of the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz.

Sources added that the case will see an end next week if obstacles do not emerge, adding that the kidnappers handed over the Lebanese authorities a new list of detainees' names in Syrian prisons.

According to the Daily, General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim is set to pay another visit to Damascus next week.

• Prime Minister-Designate Salam to resume deliberations next week

Political sources in March 14 alliance told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that efforts are deployed in order to form a new government in the next few days.

Sources undermined the possibility of forming a "fait accompli government", stressing that the new government will be "political".

According to the Daily, Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will kick off next week a new round of deliberations with Lebanese leaders in this regard.

• French ambassador Paoli says France supports political solution for Syrian crisis

French ambassador Patrice Paoli told As-Safir newspaper on Saturday that France supports placing Hezbollah military wing on the "terrorist organizations" list.

He added that investigations are ongoing in regard to Bulgaria's bomb and Hezbollah's involvement in planning bomb attacks in Cyprus.

On Syria, the French envoy asserted to the Daily that France supports "the political solution" for the Syrian crisis, adding that France pins hopes on Geneva 2 conference in this regard.