Press Digest for Wednesday February 19, 2014

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.

• Minister Mashnouq: Governmental statement will not include controversial items  
  

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that members of the committee tasked with drafting the ministerial statement will agree on a statement that does not include any controversial items.                     

Minister Mashnouq added to the newspaper that agreeing on a statement that supports the efforts of the Lebanese state in bearing its political, military, economic, and security responsibilities has become essential.                  

• Future bloc should offer an apology to the citizens of Tripoli – Sources                  

Sources reported to As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the Future bloc should offer an apology to the citizens of Tripoli for the suffering, tragedies, and tensions that they continue to endure on the backdrop of the bloc’s escalatory stances toward former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.     

The sources added that residents of Tripoli were convinced that the decisions of former PM Najib Mikati and Deputies Mohammad Safadi and Ahmad Karameh aimed to protect Lebanon and prevent the emergence of a Sunni – Shiite strife.                
             
The same sources pointed out that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri should take the same step in Sidon, Bekaa, and Arsal whose citizens suffered the repercussions of sectarian incitement.

• Syrian opposition leader Jarba says Hezbollah forces killing civilians           

Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba said on Wednesday the outcome of negotiations in Geneva 2 was uncertain, pointing out that the Syrian regime will not agree on a political and democratic solution to the crisis, unless efforts were exerted in this regard.      

Jarba told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that setting a date for the 3rd round of peace talks is being agreed upon.                   

“Neither the regime nor the opposition was able to eliminate the other,” Jarba told the newspaper, adding that the opposition will garner political, military, and developmental support after the Geneva 2 talks.                    

Regarding Hezbollah’s participation in the Syrian crisis, Jarba said members from Hezbollah are killing civilians, asking the Lebanese cabinet to urge Hezbollah to withdraw its forces from Syria.

• Minister Mashnouq says first cabinet session was “typical”          

Environment Minister Mohammad Mashnouq described on Wednesday the first cabinet session as “typical” pointing out that a positive atmosphere prevailed over the session.           

Mashnouq told Al-Liwaa newspaper that various topics were discussed in a responsible manner, stressing that the cabinet’s first challenge is drafting the ministerial statement.