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.
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed that the case of the shooting incidents targeting citizens from Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen has been discussed during the meeting held by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, noting that the necessary measures have been set up in order to arrest the suspects.
In a statement to
al-Liwaa Newspaper, Charbel revealed that the current situation is delicate and difficult, calling on the Central Security Council to convene next week in order to evaluate the security plan.
Sources from Saint Joseph University said that the administration is discussing the possibility of expelling two students affiliated with March 8 and March 14 forces, adding that 15 other students will be referred to the disciplinary board.
In this context,
al-Hayat Daily revealed that the university’s administration will implement tight security measures inside the campus in an attempt to prevent any dispute from erupting between students, since the security forces deployed in the vicinity of the university fear that the campus will turn into front lines between students from rival parties.
Political sources close to the meeting held between caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Michel Sleiman in Baabda, said that Mikati briefed Sleiman on the outcome of his visits to Ankara, Paris and Doha.
In this context, Mikati said that the foreign officials are keen on supporting Lebanon and providing the Lebanese authorities with necessary assistance to cope with the issue of the Syrian refugees.
However, the sources told
al-Liwaa Newspaper that, although no official decision has been made yet to establish temporary centers to shelter the Syrian refugees inside the Lebanese territories as an alternative to the objection of the Syrian authorities to establish refugee camps in Syria, Sleiman did not rule out the said proposal, saying that it could be an option.
The same sources added that the plan is still under discussion, and that it may be tackled during the regular meeting headed by President Sleiman to look into the case of the Syrian refugees.
Well-informed French sources revealed to
Al-Hayat Daily discussions held between caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and French officials, noting that Mikati asked them to convince the March 14 coalition to approve the formation of a new government based on Hezbollah's 9-9-6 formula.
Mikati asked France to urge the International Support Group for Lebanon, which was established to help the country in addressing the Syrian refugee issue, to provide additional assistance, the sources said, adding that Paris is expected to hold another meeting for the said group.
Sources close to Bkerke reported on Friday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai's visit to Iran "is absolutely out of the question," despite the fact that he had repeatedly received many invitations from Iran.
"Cardinal Rai did not take any decision so far regarding invitations he received," the sources added.
Separately, the sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Rai is
closely following up on the details behind the standoff that took place at the Saint Joseph University (USJ), adding that he rejects any kind of provocations and aggression which undermine national symbols such as late President Bashir Gemayel.
Cardinal Rai called for bringing the accused to justice, holding the political parties responsible for the tense situation in Lebanese universities, "which comes as a result of continuous sectarian tension".