Press Digest for Monday August 05, 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.

• Speaker Berri says Yarzeh rockets not targeting Presidential Palace

Speaker Nabih Berri told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that he is currently halting all efforts on his part in a bid to facilitate the formation of the new government.

Speaker Berri condemned the launching of rockets at the vicinity of the Presidential Palace in Baabda, refusing the accusations launched against Hezbollah in this regard.

According to the Daily, Speaker Berri said that the rockets were not targeting the Presidential Palace since the area in which the rockets landed include several official and diplomatic headquarters.

• Israel prepares to wage new war on Lebanon

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday that Israeli military sources warned Hezbollah and the Lebanese state against the possibility of Israel waging a new war against Lebanon.

Sources added that the Israeli army is preparing for "fierce clashes which will drive the entire region into confrontations with Israel", adding that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will launch the group's rockets against Israel.

According to the Daily, Israel and Hezbollah were working since July war 2006 on strengthening their military powers as a prelude to the next war between both sides.

• Daraya bomb intended to target LAF members

Security sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the Daraya bomb intended to target members of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Sources added that the Egyptian nationals who were building the bomb worked in  cooperation with the al-Nusra Front in the Ain el-Helwe Palestinian refugee camp.

According to the Daily, the network was also preparing a series of assassination targeting security and political figures.

• MP Abi Ramia lashes out disputes inside Change and Reform bloc

Change and Reform bloc MP Simon Abi Ramia told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the bloc still stands with all its components.

MP Abi Ramia lashed out against media outlets reports saying that the bloc is divided, adding that minor disputes exist between different party members. 

According to the Daily, MP Abi Ramia disregarded the possibility of the Al-Marada movement ending its alliance with the Free Patriotic Movement.