Press Digest for Tuesday August 27, 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.

• Bishop Mazloum: Terrorism does not differentiate between Lebanese regions            

Maronite Cardinal Patriarch Beshara Boutros Rai's envoy, Bishop Samir Mazloum said on Tuesday that Patriarch Rai visited Tripoli and South Beirut’s Roueis region to offer his condolences to the relatives of those who were killed in the explosions, adding that the visit did not have a political background, but aimed instead at easing the sectarian tension in the country.                  

Bishop Mazloum told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that “terrorism does not differentiate between one Lebanese region or the other,” urging officials to act wisely in accordance with the requirements of this phase.         

• Berri: The security situation requires mutual cooperation between parties                              

House Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir newspaper that the security situation in Lebanon is highly alarming, expressing his concern that the perpetrators of both the Tripoli and Roueis explosions are targeting more Sunni and Shiite regions in a bid to drag Muslims into sectarian strife.                

Berri added to the newspaper that the current situation requires mutual cooperation between all parties.                

As for the yearly ceremony held by the Amal Movement in memory of Imam Moussa al-Sadr, Speaker Berri told An-Nahar newspaper that the ceremony was postponed for security reasons.                 

• MP Jumblatt urges President Sleiman to hold national dialogue sessions                     

Al-Liwaa newspaper said on Tuesday that Head of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Walid Jumblatt, tasked caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour with delivering a message to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman stipulating that the file of the cabinet may only be solved by adopting the 8-8-8 governmental formula [8 ministers for March 8, 8 ministers for March 14, and 8 independent ministers].                

The newspaper added that MP Jumblatt urged President Sleiman to hold national dialogue sessions in order to help narrow the gap between political forces.               
 

• Minister Charbel: Lebanon’s security situation is “difficult” 

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said that he discussed on Monday during the meeting of the Higher Defense Council the issue of providing the ministry with equipment to detect explosives, adding that the Finance Ministry will study the cost of such equipment to take the appropriate decision.
                   
Minister Charbel told An-Nahar newspaper that a proposal that stipulates holding a general meeting for mayors is being discussed, and mentioned that the meeting may be held next week at Biel, Beirut or at the UNESCO to determine the municipalities capability to monitor security to facilitate the work of the concerned apparatuses.                          

Minister Charbel described the security situation in Lebanon as “difficult”; however, stressed that there are means to control it.