Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Friday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

Al-Mustaqbal

Hezbollah disturbed by Ban’s report on 1701 ... military urged to ‘distance itself from wrong calculations’

Mikati wants ... doesn’t want to resign over [STL] funding

Hezbollah issued a statement Thursday in response to the new report of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on resolution 1701, saying it contained “fallacies and appeared to be disturbed and tense because the Lebanese people chose to strengthen their position in the face of the Zionist occupation and its ongoing aggression.”

Prime Minister Najib Mikati denied as “untrue” remarks quoted by MP Robert Ghanem regarding his resignation in the event the government failed to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi urged troops to “be on full alert to face the difficulties and dangers of tomorrow and distance yourselves from wrong calculations promoted by some from here or there.”

Kahwagi stressed the need to “preserve unity and independence as well as protecting all Lebanese of different affiliations."

As-Safir

‘Wage war’ to be resolved before end of November

"PSP outside government flock

At the internal political scene, Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi accused the Cabinet Thursday of withholding funds for his ministry’s projects.

As a result of the dispute, Aridi announced he was boycotting Cabinet meetings until funds for his ministry have been secured. He also held the government and Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi, without naming the latter, responsible for “underestimating public concerns.”

The Progressive Socialist Party also flew outside the government flock when Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour criticized Lebanon’s vote on Syria at the Arab League, saying that "the government is embarrassed and bewildered by Lebanon’s position at the Arab League."

Meanwhile, the issue of amending salary increases was back to the forefront and expected to be resolved before the end of November. Meetings of a committee tasked with discussing the cost of living index will gain momentum Monday with the arrival of Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas from Geneva. A final agreement is expected to be reached that will put an end to proposals and counter proposals regarding a pay raise.

Al-Joumhouria

Positively or negatively, STL funding to be resolved before the holidays

Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed that the security situation in Lebanon is under control.

Al-Joumhouria has learned that Mikati informed foreign ambassadors he recently met of his intentions to solve the issue of funding for the STL during the same session that government convenes to discuss the 2012 state budget.

Sources following up on the issue of STL funding told Al-Joumhouria that contrary to what some believe, the matter is even more important than the renewal of the tribunal’s protocol between Lebanon and the United Nation since it is directly linked to U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon.

According to the protocol agreement, Lebanon has no say on the issue of renewal while paying Lebanon’s share of the court’s budget is directly linked to the government – whether it approves it or not.

Al-Liwaa

Troubling diplomatic questions await Lebanon answers

Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Mikati were resolute on the issue of funding for the STL, saying the decision to finance the tribunal rules out discussions concerning the resignation of the government.

More importantly are the troubling questions raised by ambassadors and consuls during talks with Mikati and other officials in the government and Parliament.

These questions go beyond the issue of the STL and its funding but to the security situation in Lebanon as Syria stands on the edge of a civil war. Of course, these questions will remain unanswered.