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.
- MP Kannan: Our appeal is ready to be
presented
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper
that the appeal that will be raised by the Free Patriotic Movement is similar
to that filled by Lebanese President Michel Sleiman regarding the extension of
the parliament’s mandate.
In this context,
Al-Joumhouria
newspaper said on Monday that MPs Michel Aoun, Ibrahim Kanaan, Edgard Maalouf,
Hekmat Dib, Alain Aoun, Ziad Aswad, Simon Abi Ramia, Naji Gharious, Farid
el-Khazen, and Nabil Nicolas are the 10 FPM deputies who have signed the said appeal.
MP Kanaan told
Al-Joumhouria that “the
final touches on the constitutional appeal pertaining
to the law that extends the parliament’s mandate were made,” adding that
this appeal will be presented today (Monday).
Kanaan
stressed that the appeal is not related to the mandate of some deputies, but to granting people the right to choose their own representatives.
Sources close to March 8 forces told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper the bloc still supports Prime
Minister-Designate Tammam Salam; however, mentioned that the latter should
present a new governmental formula since the current situation in Lebanon
requires a cabinet capable of maintaining the country’s stability.
The sources added that March 8
forces are ready to discuss the governmental formula with PM-Designate Salam;
thus, stressing their rejection to the 8-8-8 formula. [8 minister from March 8,
8 from March 14, and 8 Independent ministers]
As-Safir newspaper said on Monday that the
leader of the ‘terrorist group’ that attacked Lebanese Armed Forces in Arsal headed
to the Syrian territories.
In this regard, the newspaper said that the said suspect had relayed an edict, or Fatwa, originally issued by one of the Sheikhs in the Bekaa stipulating the "rightful revenge for the death of kinsmen lost in battles in
Homs vis-as-vis targeting Lebanese Army Forces in Lebanon."
- Sheikh Assir loses more than 300
thousand Facebook fans
Al-Akhbar newspaper said on Monday
that the social media network Facebook closed the page of the
Imam of Bilal bin Rabbah mosque Sheikh Ahmad Assir following various
reports made by users of this network.
The newspaper added that Sheikh Assir lost more than 300
thousand fans, but managed to open a new page on Facebook.
- Salam adherent to a cabinet
that does not have electoral candidates
Visitors of Prime Minister-Designate
Tammam Salam told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the latter is following up on
the appeal that President Michel Sleiman raised in regards to extending the
mandate of the parliament, adding that he is still conducting consultations
with political factions in order to reach a governmental formula.
The visitors added that MP Salam is adherent to
the constants that he set since the first day of his nomination, stressing that
the latter has hope in reaching a cabinet that constitutes a homogeneous team
capable of working for the national interest of the country.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria that MP Salam
supports the formation of a cabinet that does not have electoral candidates, based on the notion of power rotation.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper
that opening the file of extending the parliament’s mandate led to the deterioration of security in Baalbeck following attacks between Hezbollah and the Free Syrian
Army.
The sources expressed their fear of security
developments in South Lebanon in case the political crisis escalated after the enlistment of Hezbollah on the European list of terrorist groups.
In this regard,
Al-Joumhouria
newspaper said that United Nations’ forces took their precautions and
implemented tight security measures south of the country.