Press Digest for Wednesday December 04, 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. 

• Political, religious figures follow up on case of nuns in Maaloula         

Sources reported to Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that attacks on Maaloula are not happening since it’s a Syrian town, but because it’s a Christian town, adding that extremists repeated their attacks on the town.                   

In this regard sources added to the newspaper mentioned that attacks show that the Free Syrian Army is no longer taking control in Syria, but instead takfisi organizations.                            

In turn Bishop Samir Mazloum told the newspaper that the maronite patriarchate is following on the case of the nuns in Maaloula; however, a solution for this file is directly linked to Syrian factions that are trying to impose their authority.                        

For his part, deputy House Speaker Farid Makary called via al-Joumhouria on the International Community to bear its responsibility and save the Christian town of Maaloula as well as all other Christian towns in Syria.                      

Meanwhile, Beirut Bishop Daniel Koriyeh told the newspaper that Maaloula is witnessing the worst types of vandalism, urging all nations and people to take immediate steps in order to preserve the Christian heritage.              

• MP Jisr: LAF soldiers may not replace work of ISF                        

Deputy Samir Jisr said on Wednesday that the meetings held with Lebanese officials especially caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati aimed at reiterating the importance of maintaining the security situation in Tripoli.           

Jisr told An-Nahar newspaper that Lebanese Armed Forces may not replace the work of Internal Security Forces, adding that maintaining Tripoli’s situation is also related to addressing infringements on public and private properties.         

• MP Kabbara: Perpetrators should be pursued            

MP Mohammad Kabbara said on Wednesday “it’s the first time that security apparatuses carry out their duties to maintain a security situation and put an end to the deteriorating situation in Tripoli,” adding that “there is an armed group in Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen affiliated to Syrian President Bashar Assad and is behind the explosions that targeted the northern city.”     

Kabbara told An-Nahar newspaper that perpetrators should be pursued and brought into justice, stating that all citizens should abide by the law.                 

• AL-Lino: I have information pertaining to security breaches at the Ain el-Helweh camp        

Former head of the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Armed Struggle Force in Lebanon Mahmoud Issa, aka al-Lino, said on Wednesday the bomb that exploded on Tuesday during a funeral held at the Ain el-Helweh refugee camp was targeting him and was detonated wirelessly.         

Al-Lino told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that he has information and data pertaining to those who are behind the security breaches at the Ain el-Helweh refugee camp.