Press Digest for Monday December 30, 2013

4^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.

Mufti Qabbani: Protestors at the Khashoggi Mosque wanted to kill me

Grand Mufti of the Republic Mohammad Rachid Qabbani said on Monday that he tasked Sheikh Mohammad Amine al-Arwadi with praying over the body of Lebanese young man Mohammad Chaar; however, decided later on to head to the Khashoggi Mosque in Beirut to offer his condolences.

Qabbani told al-Akhbar newspaper that his bodyguards were not with him at the mosque, adding that “mourners at the funeral protested his presence and wanted to kill him.”

MP Jumblatt: Lebanon is in dire need of national unity cabinet – sources

Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted on Monday March 14 sources as saying that they told Lebanese President Michel Sleiman “any cabinet in partnership with the ‘other party’ will not be agreed upon.”

The newspaper pointed out that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt is against the mentioned governmental formula, stressing that “Lebanon is in dire need to a national unity cabinet that ends tension in the country.”

In this regard, sources close to MP Jumblatt told the newspaper that “MP Jumblatt will not give confidence to any cabinet not agreed upon by House Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah.”

Alloush: A neutral cabinet maintains Lebanon’s stability

Politburo member of the Future Movement Former MP Mustafa Alloush said on Monday that Lebanese institutions should implement measures to protect both the state and the citizens.

Alloush told An-Nahar newspaper that a neutral cabinet should be formed in order to respond to the assassination of former Minister Mohammad Chatah, and maintain Lebanon’s stability and security.

France's Fabius: So long as President Assad remains in power, terrorism will not end

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told al-Hayat newspaper on Monday that the Geneva 2 conference must be convened in its due time.
He also said that as long as "Syrian President Bachar al-Assad remains in power, terrorism will not end."

Fabius revealed to the Daily that French President Francois Hollande will meet with Syrian opposition chief Ahmad Jarba in the few coming hours to discuss the fate of Syria's crisis.

On another note, Fabius asserted that the presidential elections in Lebanon must be held on their due time.

Slain Minister Chatah wrote open letter to Iran, was planning to collect signatures from fellow MPs-sources

Sources told al-Hayat newspaper on Monday that the open letter authored by former Minister Mohammad Chatah addressing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani represented the viewpoint of figures of the March 14 alliance.

According to the daily, Chatah was planning to collect signatures from fellow members of the Lebanese parliament in support of the letter.

Sources added that former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Chatah and allies of the March 14 alliance wrote the letter amid the alliance's attempt to hold dialogue with world powers and Iran following the nuclear deal with Tenhran.