Press Digest for Thursday June 27, 2013

      
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.

• Sleiman to hold a comprehensive reconciliation conference in Sidon           

Sources told Al-Joumhouria daily on Thursday that General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim will hold further contacts with Sidon's official figures in order to tackle an initiative set by President Michel Sleiman.         

The said initiative aims at holding a comprehensive reconciliation conference in the city of Sidon in the presence of political and religious leaders in a bid to face the repercussions of the Abra clashes.          

• Two persons arrested while communicating with Sheikh Assir, Fadel Shaker       

Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces are still conducting raid operations against the supporters of Sheikh Ahmad Assir, noting that the number of the arrestees has reached more than 150 persons, including 50 Lebanese nationals, 60 Syrian nationals and 40 Palestinian nationals.           

Sources told the daily that huge arms caches were found in some buildings in Sidon, Sharhabil and Abra, noting that "Sheikh Assir was preparing for a long-term military operation".           

In this context, a military source confirmed that two persons on board a minibus were arrested on Tuesday morning, adding that they were communicating with Sheikh Assir and former singer Fadel Shaker in order to know their address and help them escape.              

• Two high-ranking US delegates to meet with Lebanese officials in Beirut        

Two high-ranking US delegates, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne Richard and US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, will soon arrive to Beirut.         

In this regard, Richard will hold contacts today (Thursday) with the Lebanese officials in order to tackle the Syrian refugees’ dossier as well as the humanitarian aid provided by her country to shoulder the burden.        

Sources also told An-Nahar newspaper that Burns is expected to arrive tomorrow to Beirut, pointing out that he will hold contacts with President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam.           

• Hezbollah to evacuate the Abra apartments         

Al-Akhbar daily quoted Hezbollah as saying yesterday that "the group is willing to close the apartments in Abra" near the security complex of Sheikh Ahmad Assir while the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were dismantling the explosives found in the said complex.        

In this context, Hezbollah told the LAF that "one of the Abra apartments does not belong to the group," adding that the second will be soon evacuated.