Press Digest for Wednesday February 26, 2014

4^min

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

Palestinian national Marwan Hammadi is Hermel suicide bomber- sources

Security sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that Palestinian national Marwan Hammadi, who hails from the southern town of al-Baysaryeh, was the suicide bomber behind the explosion that rocked Hermel on Saturday night.

The sources added that Hammadi was a friend of Palestinian national Nidal al-Moughayar, one of Bir Hassan suicide bombers.

The same sources also said that Hammadi had left along with all his family from al-Baysaryeh town while al-Moughayyar was revealed as a suicide bomber and his father's car and house were set ablaze.

"They had all disappeared, which proves that all members of Hammadi's family were aware about his act," the sources said.

President Sleiman no longer adamant on Baabda Declaration- sources

Sources told Al-Joumhouria daily on Wednesday that President Michel Sleiman is no longer adamant on the inclusion of the Baabda Declaration in the ministerial statement, but will voice reservations in this regard.

Sleiman's stance comes in light of contacts held yesterday, the sources said.

This as, An-Nahar newspaper said Sleiman's guests quoted him as saying that he will not be a "stumbling block" should the concerned committee agree on a formula for the ministerial statement, noting that he, alongside his ministers, will have a say on the statement.

UNRWA's Grandi says Yarmouk residents look like ghosts

Filippo Grandi, the Commissioner General of UNRWA, said Palestinians living in the besieged camp of Yarmouk in Damascus are unable to have access to humanitarian aid.

"It's like the appearance of ghosts," he said of the people coming from within Yarmouk.

Grandi also told As-Safir newspaper that the situation worsened as different factions were fighting in the said area.

"Palestinians shouldn't have entered the conflict, mainly since they are refugees there," he added.

PM Salam did not submit any new formula during Tuesday's session- sources

Sources close to Prime Minister Tammam Salam denied on Wednesday that he has submitted a new formula during Tuesday's ministerial statement session.

The sources also told Al-Liwaa daily that the formula proposed by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour was not agreed upon unanimously, adding that representatives of the March 8 coalition said the formula needed further discussion.

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