Press Digest for Thursday October 17, 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.

• Tripoli's figures to implement security plan after Eid al-Adha -sources        

Well-informed sources reported on Thursday that Tripoli's figures, including the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek Chaar, remain adamant on the swift implementation of a security plan, which has become an urgent need in light of the rising sectarian tensions.        

The same sources told Al-Hayat daily that the achievements made by the Internal Security Forces Information Bureau which had arrested a number of suspects involved in Tripoli's twin blasts, should expedite the implementation of the security plan.           

On the reasons behind the Lebanese state's failure to "save" Tripoli from widespread arms and self-imposed security, the sources said that "high-ranking officials have always vowed to ease tension between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, but they did not keep their promises".           

• Allouch says national conference to be held in Tripoli           

Future Movement former MP Mustafa Allouch said a national conference is set to be held in the northern city of Tripoli under the patronage of the March 14 coalition and upon the directives of the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek Chaar.               

"All sectarian, political and social parties will take part in the conference that leads to improve Tripoli's image," Allouch said.           

Former MP Allouch also told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the conference, due to be held in Mid-November, aims to show that Tripoli's residents reject violence and sectarian tension, adding that the judiciary's condemnation of an accused, who belongs to a specific sect, does not undermine the whole sect.