Press Digest for Friday November 22, 2013

• Houry: Linking Lebanon’s security to that of Iran will open the gates of hell

Member of the Future bloc Ammar Houry stressed March 14’s rejection of the statements issued by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani whereby he said that Lebanon’s security is linked to that of Iran.

“Such truth will open the gates of hell,” Houry said.

The MP told al-Seyassah al-Kuaitia that the March 14 forces committed to the adoption of the Baabda Declaration because it dissociates the country from the regional conflict, noting that witnessing further terrorist attacks remains a possibility.

On another note, Houry reiterated that Hezbollah’s withdrawal from Syrian will remain a main condition for their participation in a new cabinet that includes the party, pointing out that the Future Movement will not grant the Shiite party any legitimacy or cover for its “crimes” committed against the Syrian people.

• Photo circulated by LAF claimed to be that of Bir Hassan’s first suicide bomber – Sources 

Security sources told al-Akhbar Daily that the photo that was circulated by the Lebanese Armed Forces on Thursday of a dangerous wanted man who have committed a crime, turned out to be that of the first suicide bomber who implemented the Bir Hassan attack outside the Iranian embassy.

The sources told the newspaper that the suicide bombers may have come from Jordan, adding that their identities have not yet been known. 

• Sectarian tensions on social media behind Saudi Arabia's call to leave Lebanon-sources

Sources told Al-Liwaa newspaper on Friday that Saudi Arabia urged all its citizens to leave Lebanon in light of the sectarian tensions witnessed recently in Lebanon on social media platforms.

Saudi Arabia ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri denied to the Daily security threats, adding that the call to leave the country comes out of concern for the safety of the Saudi nationals in Lebanon.

Sources also noted that the security apparatuses deployed nearby the Saudi embassy in Qraytem to avert any possible attack on the embassy.

• Caretaker Minister Wael Abou Faour says Lebanon is facing "great security danger"

Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour told Al-Seyassah newspaper on Friday that Lebanon is facing "great security danger."

He also urged the Lebanese leaders to hold political dialogue in a bid to put an end for the pending disputes in the country.

According to the Daily, Abou Faour stressed the importance of forming a new government to deal with the security, economic and social issues in Lebanon.