The following are a selection of stories from Lebanese newspapers that may be of interest to Daily Star readers. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
An-Nahar
Nasrallah extends his hand to Future Movement, Lebanese Forces paves the way for extension with a last-minute initiative
Amid the countdown to the extension session, Nasrallah's appearance in person carried a surprise positive, political message when he confessed to the role the Future Movement played in embracing the Army and saving Lebanon from what was planned in Tripoli and the north. Observers believed that Nasrallah's talk of readiness to launch dialogue with the Future Movement was in response to and complements former Prime Minister Saad Hariri's own initiative and it was very significant.
While sources close to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea remained secretive about his own last-minute initiative today, some politicians said Geagea would focus on the idea that electing a new president should be a starting point to resolve political disputes. He would also express his willingness to offer sacrifices for the sake of electing a new presidency
As-Safir
Jumblatt welcomes ... Siniora takes time; Nasrallah urges everyone: Let us confront in unity
Sources close to the case of the $3 billion Saudi grant said that the grant was in fact in danger after the end of former President Michel Sleiman's term but that the Iranian offer to equip the Army pushed the Saudi grant back into the light.
Nasrallah's appearance last night only signified that the leader was willing to sacrifice himself to encourage supporters to attend Ashoura rallies in Beirut's southern suburbs that will be held amid tight security measures never seen since the establishment of the resistance in 1982.
Al-Akhbar
To extend with who attends
Sources close to Speaker Nabih Berri said that Berri informed the Lebanese Forces through MP Fouad Siniora that he would call for parliamentary committee tasked with studying a new electoral law to reconvene and giving the committee a one-month deadline only if the LF voted on the extension.
Sources in the March 8 group told Al-Akhbar that contacts were ongoing to convince the Free Patriotic Movement to attend the session.
Al-Joumhouria
Saudi grant has been finalized
The $3 billion Saudi grant to the Army will be signed quickly after months of negotiation over the needed
equipment that the Lebanese Army is seeking.
Military sources said that Gen. Jean Kahwagi's visit to Saudi Arabia will be for one day, saying the ball was in the French court now and the Saudis had nothing more to do.
After his return, Kahwagi will discuss with the French technical issues and the French would begin supplying the military with the weapons.
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