Press Digest for Sunday October 13, 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.

• Fatfat: Jumblatt abandoned his position as a centrist

Member of the Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat denied reports stating that the Future Movement has launched a campaign against head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt, noting that the latter had attacked the Syrian revolution and March 14 forces while he knows which party has been hindering the formation of a new cabinet.    

In a statement to Acharq al-Awsat Daily, MP Fatfat added that Jumblatt’s stances serve his personal interest, pointing out that his latest statements revealed that he is fully committed to the alliance with Hezbollah.      

“Jumblatt abandoned his position as a centrist,” he said.      

• Arsaltown holds funeral of citizens who died amid unclear circumstances

The northwestern border town of Arsal held the funeral of its two residents Omar al-Atrach and Samer al-Hjairi who died amid unclear circumstances, despite many assumptions and explanations.      

The name of Omar al-Atrach has been recently circulated as a suspect involved in implementing several attacks, including the explosion that targeted the Roueis region and the rockets that were launched toward Beirut Southern Suburbs.    

In this context, Arsal’s Mayor Ali al-Hjairi told Acharq al-Awsat Newpaper said that he does not have any information regarding the incident that led to death of the two citizens, noting that the bodies could not be identified.      

On the other hand, a military source said that the Lebanese government is not concerned with the accident since it occurred outside the Lebanese territories.      

• Charbel: Second phase of Tripoli’s security plan is very complicated      

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel declared that the Lebanese army is assuming its obligations in the northern city of Tripoli, adding that a two-phase security plan has been set up to control the situation in the city.    

In a statement to Acharq al-Awsat, Charbel said that the first part of the plan was implemented by setting checkpoints at the city’s entrances, pointing out that the second phase which has not yet been implemented, "is very complicated and requires political solutions on the ground, not only political positions."       

In this context, the caretaker minister revealed that a meeting is scheduled to be held after the Eid al-Adha holiday with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the security committee concerned with Tripoli’s security.