Press Digest for Wednesday March 19, 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.

Mashnouq says all roads will be open as of Wednesday morning

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told As-Safir daily on Wednesday that a unit of the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese army will enter the town of Arsal on Wednesday morning, noting that this unit is ordered to maintain security.

"All roads will be open as of Wednesday morning and it is forbidden to close them," Mashnouq said.

Separately, Mashnouq said the security meeting to be held today at the Baabda Palace will tackle the security situation in Lebanon, the means to deal with the regions surrounding Arsal and with the situation in the northern city of Tripoli.

PM Salam warns of situation in Arsal, calls for urgent security plan

Prime Minister Tammam Salam warned on Wednesday that the situation in the border town of Arsal and the surrounding areas is "highly dangerous".

"If the situation remains as such, I am afraid that things will spiral out of control," Salam told As-Safir newspaper.

He also warned of the closure of several roads across Lebanon, and said there is an urgent need to implement a security plan for Tripoli and Arsal.

PM Salam urges LAF commander Kahwagi to act firmly

Sources told As-Safir daily on Wednesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam asked the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Jean Kahwagi, in a meeting on Monday at the Grand Serail, to strike with an "iron fist" in Tripoli and Northern Bekaa.

Salam told Kahwagi that the situation is no longer acceptable, urging him to act firmly when the situation requires.

Sources also told the daily that Salam called on Hezbollah, in a phone call with Minister Mohammad Fneish, to contribute in containing the deteriorating situation in Northern Bekaa.

Speaker Berri underscores need to declare state of emergency in Northern Bekaa

Speaker Nabih Berri said the solution to the situation in Northern Bekaa lies in the declaration of a state of emergency in the town of Arsal and the surrounding areas.

"The security forces and the Lebanese army should enter Arsal to maintain security and drive out gunmen," he said.

Speaker Berri also told As-Safir newspaper that civil and relief agencies should enter Arsal to provide assistance to the Syrian refugees, calling for reconciliation between Arsal and the surrounding towns.

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