Press Digest for Thursday July 11, 2013

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.

MP Jumblatt: Situation in Lebanon is not "reassuring"

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the situation in Lebanon is not "reassuring", adding that there is a serious dispute over the involvement of Hezbollah in the fighting taking place in Syria.

MP Jumblatt added that Hezbollah is hindering the formation of a new government by insisting on the blocking third.

According to the Daily, MP Jumblatt urged the Lebanese leaders to agree over pending issues to spare the Lebanese people further conflicts amid the deteriorating economy.

He also stressed that the Parliament is not "paralyzed", hailing the extension of the parliament's term in light of the accelerating and dangerous developments in Sidon, Tripoli and lately Bir al-Abed.

MP Jumblatt concluded by saying that there is a permanent communication with Hezbollah, urging other Lebanese sides to hold dialogue with the party.

CIA: Two suicide bombers will attack the Dahieh region

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that investigations are ongoing pertaining to the explosion that took place in Bir al-Abed region.

Sources added that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provided the Lebanese security apparatuses with "dangerous" information stating that a group linked to al-Qaeda smuggled huge amounts of explosives into Lebanon.

According to the Daily, reports were issued by the CIA in this regard and delivered earlier this week to the head of Lebanese security branches stating that two explosions will be carried out by two suicide bombers and will be targeting the Dahieh region.

UN Security Council calls for preserving Lebanon's stability amid Syrian crisis

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that member states of the United Nations Security Council finally agreed over the crisis taking place in Syria by issuing a statement calling for preserving peace and stability in neighboring Lebanon.

Sources added that the council slammed the Syrian and Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, calling on all sides to respect the Lebanese borders and its independence.

According to the Daily, the security council voiced its deep concerns over the rise in the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, calling for international cooperation to help Lebanon bear the burden.

MP Siniora attempting to sack Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that Future bloc head MP Fouad Siniora is preparing a petition to topple Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani.

Sources added that MP Siniora's step "will fail", since the sacking of Mufti Qabanni needs the signature of an effective Prime Minister and not a Caretaker Prime Minister.