Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese and pan-Arab newspapers Saturday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

Ad-Diyar

Sleiman calls for full implementation of resolution 1701

Berri: What is happening in Syria is not an Arab Spring

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon began his visit to Lebanon with a press conference at the Phoenicia hotel, where he discussed the Syrian refugees, the rule of law in Lebanon and Resolution 1701.

The U.N. envoy expressed concern over the strength of Hezbollah’s weapons and the need to withdraw illegal arms, noting the lack of progress in this area.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is expected to give a speech at a rally in Baalbek, where he will address the crowd via giant screen.

It is interesting to note that the U.N. secretary general did not bring up the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the meetings. But he did discuss the extension of the court during a news conference. The leaders also stressed the need for the U.N. to play a role concerning Israeli violations, and confirmed the need for adhering to resolution 1701.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Ban that what is happening in Syria is not an Arab Spring. He also discussed the role of women in politics.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s move to finance the International Tribunal brought the Lebanese government out of international isolation.

President Michel Sleiman expressed his concern over the safety of UNIFIL troops in the south, following several attacks last year on the international peacekeeping forces, saying he was determined to continue the investigation to uncover the culprits in the attacks. He also called on the full implementation of 1701, which calls for full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, noting the U.N.’s double standards over the issue of Palestine.

An-Nahar

Ban says Lebanon has important mission in Arab Spring; I am concerned about Hezbollah’s arms; STL protocol will be renewed

Discussions that U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon held with the country’s top three leaders – president, speaker and prime minister –had an impact, particularly regarding his statements on Syria, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Hezbollah’s weapons. Each of these subjects seemed to cause embarrassments [for Lebanese politicians] although these were not reflected in the official statements on the talks.

And while Hezbollah adhered to its silence during Ban’s speech, sources close to the party urged that attention be paid to Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah’s televised speech in Baalbek Saturday in which he will turn to the “latest and most important political developments.”

Ban expressed his “concerns” when asked by an Al-Manar correspondent on the lack of any development on the issue of disarmament.

“The issue is related to the military capability of Hezbollah. For this reason I discussed the subject in a very serious manner and vigorously called on President Michel Sleiman to relaunch the National Dialogue .... for the United Nations is deeply convinced in the disarmament of non-state arms.”

On the subject of the STL, he said he expected “Lebanon to continue its support and implementing its commitment fully.”

An-Nahar has learned that Ban will keep Terje Roed-Larsen as the U.N. special representative for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559.

Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Ban and Mikati had held discussions in which the subject of the STL was not brought up in any shape or form. Ban urged that exploitation of Lebanon’s maritime oil commence in places not under dispute.

Al-Anwar

Government relaxes from local problems and gets busy with international ones

Prominent foreign visits took hold of the local scene at the official and political levels Friday after the internal matters receded, particularly the issue of raising the minimum wage.

What was notable about the meetings U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon held with the country’s three [top] leaders [president, speaker and prime minister] was the reciprocal requests. The Lebanese talked about the continuing violation of UNSCR 1701 by Israel and urged that Lebanon be provided with assurances concerning its maritime borders. The international side, for its part, brought up its concerns with Hezbollah’s weapons and provided a series of recommendations.

Ban’s visit coincided with demonstrations in Downtown Beirut against the [unannounced] visit by United States Central Command head Gen. James Mattis who held talks with President Michel Sleiman, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn and the head of the Lebanese Army.

A U.S. Embassy statement said Mattis focused on political and security issues as well as other regional matters. He stressed on the continuing military cooperation between the two countries. He also stressed the need to boost the capabilities of the Lebanese Army given its importance in being the sole legal form of defense to secure the borders and the defender of the county’s sovereignty and independence.

Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat

Official visit to Lebanon .... And [Ban] stresses the need for Lebanon to abide by international resolutions

Ban expresses concern about Hezbollah’s military power ... calls on government to assist Syrian refugees

UN chief Ban Ki-moon stressed the “importance of Lebanon abiding by legitimate international resolutions, particularly 1701 and the ones relating to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.” He also praised “efforts to relaunch National Dialogue as an entry point to achieving stability and agreement on a national defense strategy and that Lebanon continue to respect its international commitments,” while stressing the need “to control the Lebanese borders and the need to disarm militias in Lebanon.” He also expressed his concern about the “Hezbollah’s military capabilities, and the concerns of a lack of progress in the process of disarmament of illegitimate weapons.” He also called on the Cabinet to assist Syrian refugees.