Press Digest for Friday July 04, 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.

Social Affairs Minister: We are working on reducing the number of Syrian refugees

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that a ministerial crisis cell which deals with the Syrian refugee issue, will soon hold a meeting at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Derbass also commented on the report that was released yesterday by the U.N. and which estimated that the number of refugees coming from Syria will exceed a third of Lebanon's population.

"We are working now on reducing this number after Syrians living in areas bordering Lebanon are no longer pouring in as battles subside," he said.

"This situation paves the way for the establishment of shelter centers on the Lebanese-Syrian border," Derbass added.

Interior Minister Mashnouq warns against attempts to target places of worship

"The threats that were launched in the past two days against Lebanon's churches are totally rejected," Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told Al-Mustaqbal daily on Friday

"The [Interior] ministry will do its utmost to protect each part of this country, including all places of worship," Mashnouq said, warning against attempts to target churches and mosques.

In this regard, the minister noted that the security forces will protect those places, adding that he has asked the cabinet to boost the number of Internal Security Forces members to 40,000.

MP Rifai says Ahrar al-Sunna Brigade 'a fake organization'

Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Kamel al-Rifai stressed on Friday that the Ahrar al-Sunna Brigade "does not exist," and said: "The brigade claims to represent Sunnis [in Lebanon] but in fact doesn't".

"Sunni residents of Baalbek support the Lebanese state and voice their rejection to extremism and terrorism," MP Rifai told Al-Joumhouria daily.

Education Minister Bou Saab says next cabinet session will be decisive

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed on Friday that the upcoming cabinet session will be decisive with regards to the dossier pertaining to the Lebanese University, hoping that problems will not occur "at the last minute".

Bou Saab also told As-Safir daily that he sought to explain the LU dossier in Thursday's cabinet session, adding however that the ministers asked for a comprehensive report to be tackled in the next session.

In this context, the minister said he has concerns about the academic year if the cabinet fails to settle the file, adding that he also fears a decision may be taken to close the Lebanese University.

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