Press Digest for Wednesday November 27, 2013

5^min

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.

USJ administration collects surveillance cameras footages; promises severe sanctions - Sources

An-Nahar Daily reported that the administration of Saint-Joseph University has collected the footages of the surveillance cameras from across the campus, in order to identify the instigators of the dispute that erupted between Mach 8 and March 14 supporters on Monday.

The administration decided to pursue the investigations and send the perpetrators to the disciplinary board that will take the necessary measures or sanctions against them.

In this context, sources from the university said that the number of the "suspects and participants" will be limited, stressing that the political reactions that followed the incident were exaggerated.

Aridi: I had previously raised corruption file, but no one listened

Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ghazi Aridi recalled that he had previously opened the file of corruption at Beirut’s airport and port, but “no one assumed responsibility.”

In a statement to al-Mustaqbal daily, Aridi said that he had raised this issue during official meetings and through the media, but did not receive any answer.

“The events that took place do not justify the attack against the journalists,” the caretaker minister noted, stressing that this case must be subject to the Audiovisual Law and the Press and Publications Law.

PM-Designate Salam's task has become difficult - Sources

Political sources following up on the formation of the cabinet said on Wednesday that a government will not be formed soon, adding that the governmental file will not be even discussed, although some officials will reiterate the call for a cabinet that serves all Lebanese citizens.

Sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that the latest security developments overshadowed the governmental file, stressing that "Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam do not have the intention to take any positive step in this file, and will later on impose a cabinet on the basis of a certain formula."

The sources also noted that "the task of PM-Designate Salam has become difficult; however, not impossible."

Tehran's nuclear program was the main cause of conflicts in the region - Sources

March 8 sources said "it is normal that Lebanon gets influenced by the Iranian nuclear deal" seemingly since powers that agreed on the deal had been fighting within each other for the past years, and disputes over Tehran's nuclear program were the main cause of conflicts and tension in the region.

The same sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that all Lebanese factions, regardless of their political affiliations, should make benefit of the mentioned deal in order to change Lebanon's political situation and resolve internal conflicts.

On another note, the sources noted that "it is not easy to discuss short-term explosions," pointing out that a political breakthrough may immunize Lebanon's internal situation.

Syria's Assad: Door of Presidential Palace will not be open for Jumblatt

Al-Akhbar newspaper said on Wednesday that visitors of Syrian President Bashar Assad quoted him as saying that "the doors of the Presidential Palace will not be opened to those who shed the blood of the Syrian people, and those willing to correct their mistakes may only visit Damascus."

The newspaper noted that President Assad's comments came in response to a question pertaining to communication sought by a number of Lebanese politicians and Arab officials such as Head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt.

Talking about MP Jumblatt specifically, Assad was quoted as saying "Jumblatt will not be accepted at the Palace; however, the case is different for his son Taymour."