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

An-Nahar

Syrian security expansion could have impact [on Lebanon]

Mikati denies resignation ... [STL] funding to a vote?

As the government gears up to address pivotal issues with the start of the new week – mainly the draft 2012 state budget that includes the article concerning funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) – the phenomenon of cross-border incursions has taken on a new shape that could further impact on the overall political and security situation in the country.

Amid ongoing political bickering over a statement made by Syria’s ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdel-Karim Ali, with regards to accusations that the Syrian mission in Beirut is involved in the kidnapping of Syrian opposition figures, a clash broke out in Hamra, Beriut, Sunday between Syrian Embassy security personnel and Kurdish protesters.

One Kurd was injured in the fighting. Syrian protesters said they were beaten up by Syrian Embassy security guards, who were brandishing weapons and sticks.

Lawmakers told An-Nahar they would request for an urgent meeting of the human rights parliamentary committee to hear clarifications from judicial authorities with respect to the case of the missing Syrian opposition citizens.

Meanwhile, as Cabinet prepares to debate the state budget during its Tuesday evening meeting, sources close to Prime Minister Najib Mikati denied reports that Mikati or his government planned to resign [over the STL funding].

While the sources stressed that the issue of STL funding was up for debate in Cabinet “and will be discussed calmly and logically,” Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, hinted over the weekend that the STL funding would likely to be put to a vote.

Al-Mustaqbal

Syrian hostilities from Bekaa to Beirut as Mansour declares Lebanon won’t ‘deviate’ from Assad support

Cabinet this week is overwhelmed with issues such as the STL funding in light of contradicting stances between Mikati and Hezbollah, although Hezbollah’s Sheikh Naim Qassem has already made up him mind, saying the issue is to be put to a vote.

Moreover, it was not yet clear how Mikati planned to translate his commitments regarding STL funding.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour turned into an assistant to Syria’s foreign minister when he assured before heading to attend an Arab League meeting that his stance would “not deviate from supporting Syria and the reform policies adopted [by Damascus].”

Ad-Diyar

Mikati sources: STL is legitimate, only solution is to fund it or we will enter into the unknown

Funding the STL continues to be a key controversial issue as government members have so far failed to find an exit to the dispute over the issue.

A ministerial source close to Mikati told Ad-Diyar that the only solution would be to fund the STL as the tribunal is legitimate “and any talk contrary to that is likely to take Lebanon to the unknown.”

As-Safir

Support the poorest families’ program kicks off Monday: donations to 74,000 families

Government plagued by issues: oil, budget, strike

Oil returns to the forefront as Speaker Nabih Berri called for a meeting in Parliament Monday of the relevant parliamentary committees to discuss the issue.

In addition to Berri, the meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the concerned Cabinet ministers.

The state budget, in turn, will be in the spotlight during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. However the session will be a sensitive one given that it includes a “big landmine” – the issue of STL funding – which is likely to have an impact on the government.

However, Mikati sources denied rumors about the possibility that differences within the government over funding for the STL would lead to the resignation of government [ministers]. The sources stressed that the STL funding would be discussed in Cabinet as part of the state budget.

The sources told As-Safir that the government would remain for a long time, adding that it is doing its job away from political or media bickering.

“All things will be addressed in a timely manner,” one source said.

Meanwhile, as the teachers’ unions were readying for Wednesday’s strike to protest the government's handling of wage increases, Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour is set to launch Monday a program in support of the poorest families in Lebanon under the auspices of President Michel Sleiman. Sleiman and Mikati will attend the opening ceremony.

Abu Faour told As-Safir that the program would initially cover about 74,000 families living below the poverty line.