Press Digest for Saturday October 26, 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.

• Minister Khoury expresses his concern over any void in Lebanon                 

Caretaker Environment Minister Nazem Khoury said on Saturday that “Lebanon is currently facing the conflict of the caretaker government”, adding that the conflict will escalate if a neutral cabinet were formed.             

Khoury expressed via An-Nahar newspaper his concern over the occurrence of a presidential void, pointing out that it may be difficult to agree on a president at a time when political factions did not agree on the formation of cabinet.                      

“President Michel Sleiman considers that extending his mandate violates the constitution,” Minister Khoury said.               

• Major General Ibrahim held a fruitful meeting with the Emir of Qatar -Sources                       

An-Nahar newspaper said on Saturday that the meeting between the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim was fruitful, stressing that officials voiced their readiness to exert efforts in a bid to release the two kidnapped Syrian bishops Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim.                             

However, sources following up on the file of the bishops noted that it’s not the first time that Qatar pledges the release of the abducted bishops, highlighting that Major General Ibrahim’s visit came after the visit of Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai during which the Emir of Qatar vowed to exert efforts to release the bishops.               

• Mikati calls on security forces to control Tripoli’s situation         

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Saturday that Tripoli will not be a target to launch political messages, stressing that authorities should maintain the security of the city’s residents.                      

Mikati added that authorities should maintain stability in the northern Lebanese city, pointing out that an end should be put to the continuous bloodshed.
              
Mikati told An-Nahar newspaper that security breaches in Tripoli are no longer justified, urging security forces to control the situation in the city.               

• LAF units implement security measures in Tripoli          

As-Safir newspaper said on Saturday that Lebanese Armed Forces officials discussed during a meeting on Friday various proposals that aim at controlling the security situation in Tripoli.                 
In this regard, sources reported to the newspaper that officials adopted one of the proposals, noting that LAF soldiers have set checkpoints in various regions of the city, and are currently enforcing their deployment and carrying out raids.           

The sources added that LAF soldiers are responding to sources of fire.