Press Digest for Monday February 03, 2014

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.

Qahwagi's visit to KSA not linked to upcoming presidential entitlement- sources

Military sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the visit of the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Major General Jean Qahwagi to Saudi Arabia is not linked to the upcoming presidential elections.

The sources added however that the army leadership has received an official Saudi invitation in a bid to discuss the Kingdom's $3 billion grant to the Lebanese army.

"The visit comes in line with improving the army's military capabilities by providing it with weapons, tanks, armored vehicles and other military equipment," the sources said.

Geagea says LF's decision to boycott the government is 'final and irreversible'- source

A source close to the Lebanese Forces stressed on Monday that the Future Movement and its leader Saad Hariri are still trying to convince LF leader Samir Geagea to backtrack on his decision to boycott an all-embracing government.

The same source told Al-Joumhouria daily that several contacts were held during the last two days between Hariri and Geagea in a last-ditch attempt to convince him, but to no avail.

"Geagea stressed that the Lebanese Forces' decision to boycott the government is 'final and irreversible' unless Hezbollah abides by the Baabda Declaration, withdraws its fighters from Syria and the ministerial statement does not include the people-army-resistance formula," the source added.

Security forces launch comprehensive plan in Sidon- sources

Security sources told the Kuwait-based Al-Rai newspaper that the security forces in the city of Sidon have prepared a comprehensive plan in order to avoid car bombs and prevent suicide bombers from entering the South.

"The security plan aims at keeping an eye on the supporters of Ahmad Assir, the Palestinian camps including Islamic activists and the Syrian refugees in order to thwart any security breaches," the sources said.

Cardinal Rai will not agree on cabinet that excludes LF, FPM

Sources close to Bkerke said on Monday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Rai, who does not support a 'fait accompli' government--which he dubbed unconstitutional--will not accept the formation of a cabinet that excludes the two major Christian parties.

"No one should ever think that the Maronite Patriarch would agree to a government from which the biggest Christian parties are missing," the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper.