Press Digest for Friday July 19, 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.
 

• EU moves to put Hezbollah on its terror list- sources           

European diplomatic sources in Brussels told As-Safir daily on Friday that the ambassadors of EU countries did not reach a decision to put Hezbollah on the EU list of terrorist organizations, adding however that an unprecedented agreement was reached in this regard.          

A well-informed diplomatic source also reported that only two countries, Austria and the Czech Republic, have voiced reservations over the said issue, noting that the remaining 26 countries are ready to back the decision.             

The same source noted that several EU countries expressed their concern over the decision's potential repercussions, arguing such a move could destabilize Lebanon where Hezbollah is part of the government.             

• PM-Designate Salam calls for a new government that includes all political parties                 

Sources close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam denied media outlets stating that the latter had prepared a formula that includes 16 ministers and had referred it to President Michel Sleiman.              

The same sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Salam is still paving the way for reaching consensus over a new government that shall include all the Lebanese political parties, although time is running out.        

In this regard, the daily added that President Sleiman advised Salam during yesterday's meeting to form a cabinet in which all political parties are represented since it falls in the country's interest.             

• Charbel says security forces are needed on the ground         

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed that his ministry is responsible for protecting all the Lebanese political figures who are threatened, adding however that many officials have retired while "others are using security forces for home services".             

In this context, Charbel told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that security forces are needed on the ground, noting that all the Lebanese figures who are threatened should be protected "as much as possible".                

• Ghosn rejects all attempts to hold LAF accountable- sources              

Sources close to caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the latter did not participate in the parliamentary defense committee session yesterday since "he rejects all attempts to hold the Lebanese army accountable," pointing out that the military institution is a “red line not to be crossed".               

The same sources denounced the threats of Future bloc MP Samir al-Jisr to debrief the caretaker minister, noting that “he has no right to question the minister nor to take a unilateral decision.”