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.
Speaker
Nabih Berri stressed on Thursday the need to enhance the role of the military
institution in order to maintain security and stability in Lebanon.
In this regard, Berri told
Al-Joumhouria
daily that the two-year extension of the mandate of Lebanese Armed Forces
Commander Jean Kahwaji aims at reviving his role, stressing that the aforementioned
extension is "undoubtedly" legal based on articles 55 and 56 of the National
Defense Law.
In a question directed at Speaker Berri over his
relation with Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, he said: "We
agree with MP Aoun on general principles but we have different standpoints in
regards to several issues".
Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan
Mansour told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that "the European Union's decision to blacklist Hezbollah's
military wing is unfair to Lebanon," calling on the Lebanese government to
fully assume its responsibilities in a bid to oppose the decision.
In this context, Mansour stressed
that Lebanon does not stand against the European Union or the Gulf Cooperation
Council, adding however that the EU stance takes a toll on the country and
affects its policy.
On another note, Mansour denounced
all campaigns launched by the March 14 coalition against the official describing
him as "a caretaker Foreign Minister who serves the interests of Syria and Iran,"
noting that those statements are "shameful".
Sources close to Kataeb party leader
Amin Gemayel reported that the phone call he made yesterday with former Prime
Minister Saad Hariri during his meeting with MP Bahia Hariri "had a positive
impact," noting that both officials highlighted the need to work hand in hand
throughout the current circumstances.
Well-informed sources also told
Al-Joumhouria daily that Gemayel hoped Hariri will return to Lebanon, adding that both
officials tackled the political and security situations tacking place in the
country.
The spokesman of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,
Andrea Tenenti, denied that the peacekeepers had received any threats, confirming
the "strong" cooperation between them and the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF).
“We don't feel threatened and security measures haven't changed,”
Tenenti told
As-Safir newspaper on Thursday.
In this regard, Tenenti pointed out that the UNIFIL cooperates with the
LAF alongside the Lebanese authorities, stressing that "the situation remains
the same following the European Union's decision to blacklist Hezbollah's
military wing".