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.
A minister from Hezbollah said on Wednesday that the party was expecting the occurrence of acts of terrorism following the explosion that targeted Beirut Southern Suburbs Roueis region, adding that the party cooperated with security forces to face this threat.
The minister told
An-Nahar newspaper that adopting the Iraqi equation on the Lebanese territories will be taking the country to another stage; however, added that the terrorist plan will never be successful.
The minister also noted that means of defeating such attacks are being studied.
House Speaker Nabih Berri expressed his concern on Wednesday over the transformation and dragging of Lebanon into a "jihad zone" on the backdrop of terrorist and takfiri activities similar to those taking place in Iraq and Syria.
In a discussion with
An-Nahar newspaper, Berri called on political leaders to hold national dialogue sessions, praising Former Prime Ministers Saad Hariri Fouad Siniora’s condemning positions following the twin blasts that targeted the Iranian Embassy in south Beirut’s Beir Hassan region.
Prominent security forces reported to
As-Safir newspaper that information stating that a motorbike was used in the first attack on the Iranian Embassy in Bir Hassan on Tuesday is not accurate, pointing out that the first blast came as a result of an on foot suicide bomber and the second due to a booby trapped car.
Sources also reported to the newspaper that authorities found at the site of the explosion the identity of a Syrian national, figuring out that it is a fake ID whose owner resides in Sabra.
Sources mentioned that the car used in the second blast was in the possession of a Lebanese national who rent it and later on sold it to car dealers in Brital.
Another security source reported to the
As-Safir newspaper that semi-official information indicates that a Saudi national in the Abdullah Azzam Brigades identified as Ahmad Soueidi was preparing for a terrorist attack to be carried out in Lebanon.
Head of the INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World former deputy Prime Minister and ex-Minister Elias Murr denounced on Wednesday the terrorist attack that targeted the Iranian Embassy in Beirut’s Bir Hassan region.
Murr called via
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Lebanese officials to bear their responsibilities and face the terrorist groups that are targeting the Lebanese territories and inciting strife among nationals.
Murr also urged Lebanese officials to form a national unity cabinet that works for the benefit of all Lebanese people.
An-Nahar newspaper said on Wednesday that Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar Roken Abadi was about to leave the Iranian Embassy in Bir Hassan when the first blast erupted.
The ambassador returned to the embassy building, which is approximately 75 meters away from the fence.
For its part, the
Al-Joumhouria newspaper stated that the Cultural Attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sheikh Ibrahim Ansari who was killed in the first blast, was originally waiting for Ambassador Ghadanfar Roken Abadi seemingly since they were heading together for a meeting with caretaker Cultural Minister Gaby Layyoun.