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

Al-Mustaqbal

Siniora to Kahwaji: Army’s role is to prevent border violations

Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s Paris visit will delay a settlement of the Cabinet dispute until his return.

Meanwhile, amid controversy over what is happening in the north and the Bekaa, a meeting between head of the Future parliamentary bloc Fouad Siniora and Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji proved significant, as both sides discussed the general situation and current developments in the country.

During the meeting, Siniora stressed "the need to deploy troops along the eastern and northern borders to control and safeguard residents of border villages as well as to protect them against attacks they are being subjected to."

Siniora said the Future Movement has been and still is committed to its stance that the Lebanese Army should deploy along the border with Syria.

He added that residents from the northern region of Akkar as well as those in the eastern Bekaa Valley share the same view.

Regarding the governmental crisis, opposition sources told Al-Mustaqbal that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will not step in now [to mediate an end to the Cabinet crisis] because Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah drew a roadmap Tuesday for everyone, including Mikati, that rules out a change of government but suggests acquiescence in demands set forth by MP Michel Aoun.

Al-Joumhouria

Sleiman for application of ‘disassociation policy’ and strengthening the Army

Washington calls ‘friends of Syria’ for a meeting

Sources close to President Michel Sleiman told Al-Joumhouria that ongoing meetings Sleiman is holding with leaders from both the March 8 and March 14 coalitions aim at finding common ground for maintaining civil peace and stability in Lebanon and averting repercussions of the Arab Spring.

The sources said that during talks with the rival camps, Sleiman would stress the need for applying the government’s policy of disassociating itself from the unrest in Syria.

He would also show his support for the Lebanese Army's carrying out its duties “in line with this policy.”

Meanwhile, the White House called for a meeting with world partners to work out ways to halt the bloodshed in Syria as well as to provide humanitarian aid to the people.

This has put Mikati in warrior mode, bracing himself for an encounter with the entire March 8 camp in Cabinet, which works for what Hezbollah wants.

Al-Anwar

Sleiman sources: Aoun does not represent all Christians

Campaigns and counter campaigns at the government level continued with no signs of an imminent solution.

The latest development came Wednesday, when President Michel Sleiman responded to a campaign launched against him by MP Michel Aoun.

Sources close to Sleiman quoted the President as saying that accusations made by Aoun were “baseless.”

“Wasn’t it Aoun who blocked the formation of the government twice by insisting on including his son-in-law [Jibran] Bassil [in the Cabinet]?” Sleiman reportedly asked.

“Didn’t he block and doesn't he continue to block the pay raise issue despite the agreement reached between the various parties at Baabda?

In response to Aoun's remarks that Sleiman has no say or role in the government, the sources said, “the President is the guarantor of the Constitution and he is the one who signs decrees. Who says Aoun represents all Christians? There are 41 Christian deputies in Parliament whom Aoun does not represent.”

Al-Liwaa

Leading northern figure fears deteriorating security situation over Syria unrest

While a visit by Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji to the head of the Future bloc, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, aimed at providing reassurances to Akkar citizens and protecting Syrian refugees, a leading figure in northern Lebanon close to March 8 forces has expressed pessimism during private meetings.

He has expressed fears that the Syria uprising could spill over into northern Lebanon and, at the political level, shake the government’s stability.

While rumors surfaced that the Cabinet crisis might drag on until end February, State Minister Ali Qanso told Al-Liwaa that talks were underway in line with Nasrallah's “now is not the time for the toppling of governments.”

He said Cabinet will likely convene in the next week or so at the latest.