Press Digest for Wednesday July 31, 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.

• GCC to issue decision over Hezbollah involvement in Syria

Arab diplomatic sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing a decision on Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian war, saying that such a decision "will be more severe than the one issued by the European Union."

Sources added that such step will have very bad repercussions on the economic interests of the Lebanese people of all sects.

According to the Daily, the decision coincides with the latest political activity of the Syrian opposition officials whom had arrived to Washington to meet with Secretary of State John Kerry.

• MP Walid Jumblatt adamant on extending term of LAF Commander Kahwagi

Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that head of the National Struggle Front Walid Jumblatt is adamant on extending the term of Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Jean Khawagi along with the Chief of Staff Walid Salman.

Sources added that a meeting was held between MP Jumblatt and MP Talal Ereslan to tackle this issue.

MP Jumblatt told the Daily that the extension of Kahwagi and Salman's terms is vital for Lebanon in order to avoid vacuum in the leadership of the military institution.

• Caretaker Min. Ghosn to issue resolution extending LAF Commander's term on Wednesday

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that the resolution to extend the terms of Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Jean Kahwagi and Chief of Staff Walid Salman will be issued on Wednesday by caretaker Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn.

In this context, Caretaker Min. Ghosn told Al-Seyassah newspaper on Wednesday that the resolution will be based on articles NO. 15 and 55 of the defense law, adding that it will be not signed by President Michel Sleiman.

• Lebanese state adopts strict measures at border crossing points

Ministerial sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that the Lebanese state has started implementing severe security measures on the border crossing points in order to prevent the entry of terrorist groups into Lebanon.

Sources added that such measures are not being adopted against Syrian nationals who are coming into Lebanon, but to protect the Lebanese people and the Syrian refugees against any potential attack launched by terrorist groups.