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.
Hezbollah security sources told
al-Joumhouria Daily that the initial terrorist plan was to detonate more than one vehicle in Bir Hassan on Wednesday, but the tight security measures and the detonation of the second suicide bomber seconds after the first one, resulted in less damage than expected, adding that a third suicide bomber was arrested ahead of a planned detonation for interrogations.
The sources told the daily that Hezbollah arrested as well 4 Syrian nationals not holding identification documents, who were taking photos at the crime scene, using advanced equipment, explaining that the party is tightening its measures in Bir Hassan.
An-Nahar Newspaper reported that the Internal Security Forces Information Bureau had arrested, before the twin blasts in South Beirut’s Bir Hassan took place, a Lebanese national who confessed during interrogations that the Lebanese Sheikh Sirajeddine Zreiqat of Abdullah Azzam Brigades tasked him with examining the locations of the Iranian Cultural Center and Hezbollah-run al-Manar TV.
The daily noted that had the attack been delayed for at least one day, it could have been thwarted due to the confessions of the suspect.
Member of the Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan said that the national unity cabinet is a political cabinet capable of receiving the parliament confidence vote, regardless of the content of its ministerial statement, which remains the only means to reach settlement between the parties.
“When was the parliament's confidence linked to the ministerial statement’s content? When did the parliament hold a government accountable based on its commitment to its statement?” he asked.
In an article he published in
al-Joumhouria Newspaper, Kanaan stressed that the only way to reach a solution for every crisis is through cooperation between the parties, in a bid to define the national interests and implement reforms to hold the presidential elections and elect a president capable of leading the country to safe harbor.
In this context, Kanaan pointed out that the government’s interest must not be limited to circumstantial interests, but should be open to national goals and reform projects, such as passing a new electoral law, adopting positive neutrality towards regional and international conflicts and a defensive policy aiming at supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and the legitimate security apparatuses.
He added that fighting corruption, improving surveillance and control apparatuses and implementing balanced development programs and expanded administrative decentralization must also be among the cabinet’s goals.
Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb explained that heated issues were tackled during the session of the ministerial statement drafting committee held on Wednesday, noting that the formula of the “Army, people, and resistance” was not discussed.
In a statement to
al-Liwaa Newspaper, Harb said that they have not yet reached agreement and delayed the discussions to another session, revealing that he refused an attempt to defer the controversial issues to the dialogue table.
The minister confirmed that the discussions were positive, calm and serious, pointing out that it is still too soon to speak of agreement over controversial matters.