Press Digest for Monday September 30, 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.

• President Sleiman: Three subcommittees will be formed to follow up on file of Syrian refugees in Lebanon

President Michel Seiman told An-Nahar newspaper on Monday that he will deploy efforts to implement the decisions agreed upon during the meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon.

He also noted that three subcommittees will be formed to follow up on the case of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

According to the Daily, President Sleiman said that Lebanon will cooperate with the Gulf states and the European Union countries to solve Lebanon's pending issues "away from political disputes."

• LF Leader Geagea: President Sleman rejects the extension of his mandate as President

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday that President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam must form the new government as soon as possible.

Geagea noted that President Sleiman will not tackle the formation of the government with Saudi officials during his scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia.

According to the Daily, Geagea stressed that President Sleiman fully rejects the extension of his mandate as President.

• Mufti of Baalbek Sheikh al-Rifai: Baalbek city is “is free of any Al-Nusra Front members”

Mufti of Baalbek and Hermel Sheikh Bakr al-Rifai told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that meetings will be held with Hezbollah leaderships to put an end to unrest in the city.

He also reiterated that reasons behind Saturday's clashes were "personal", calling on Baalbek residents to contain the fighting.

According to the Daily, Mufti al-Rifai stressed that Baalbek city is “is free of any Al-Nusra Front members.”

• MP al-Rifaei:  Sectarian rhetoric of Lebanese leaders behind Baalbek clashes

Loyalty to the resistance bloc MP Kamel al-Rifaei told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the sectarian rhetoric of some Lebanese leaders fueled the latest clashes in Baalbek city.

He also called on Baalbek's residents to spare the city sectarian strife and allow the state's forces to preserve security.

According to the Daily, MP al-Rifaei urged the Lebanese authorities to arrest outlaws and refer them to courts of law.