Press Digest for Thursday December 12, 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. 

• Plots set to drive Ain el-Helwe refugee camp into internal clashes-sources

Security sources told al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday that hard-line cells in the Ain el-Helwe refugee camp  are waiting for the appropriate time to carry out a security operation inside or outside the camp.

Sources added that plots were set to drive the entire refugee camp into internal clashes, adding that the ongoing developments in the camp are "alarming."

According to the Daily, the same sources warned against the clashes that may erupt inside the camp that will drive the entire southern city of Sidon into chaos.

• Meeting held in Bkerke for representatives of Christian parties to tackle Christian concerns-sources

Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that a meeting was held on Wednesday in Bkerke for the representatives of Christian parties.

Same sources added that the meeting was "positive" and tackled Lebanon's pending issues, mainly Christians concerns.

According to the Daily, the participants in the meeting tackled the electoral law, the Christian presence in the state's institutions, the selling of the lands belonging to Christians and the upcoming merits.

• Cardinal Rai to hold discussions with Christian, Muslim leaders

An-Nahar newspaper quoted political sources as saying that “a special Vatican delegation may visit Lebanon with the beginning of the new year,” noting that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai returned from his last visit to the Vatican.

The daily added that Cardinal Rai was given directives aiming to deal with the upcoming presidential entitlement, pointing out that “he will hold discussions with Christian and Muslim leaders in order to pave the way for the election of a new President”.

• MP Saad Hariri held discussions with MP Siniora -sources

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Future movement leader MP Saad Hariri held yesterday discussions in Paris with the head of the Future bloc MP Fouad Siniora, accompanied by a delegation.

This comes after Hariri held discussions, two days ago, with MPs Marwan Hamadeh and Nohad Mashnouk whereby they tackled the political developments in light of the upcoming entitlements.

Talks featured high on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon after the STL’s Trial Chamber has scheduled the start of trial in the case of Ayyash et al. for Thursday 16 January 2014.