Press Digest for Saturday February 22, 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 Azzi says Baabda Declaration will be stated in ministerial statement                 

Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi described on Saturday the atmosphere prevailing over the ministerial sessions as positive.                    

Azzi told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai that the main conflict facing the committee tasked with drafting the ministerial statement is discussing the file of the Resistance.   

Minister Azzi added to the newspaper that the said dossier will be discussed during national dialogue sessions seemingly since the said ministerial committee does not enough time to tackle it, adding that the Baabda Declaration will be stated in the ministerial statement.        

• PM Salam chairs security meeting at Grand Serail             

Prime Minister Tammam Salam chaired on Friday a ministerial security meeting at the Grand Serail in the presence on Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, and Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass.             

In this regard, An-Nahar newspaper reported that officials discussed during the meeting the situation in Tripoli, pointing out that the ministers suggested solutions for the escalating situation at the northern Lebanese city.                            

• ADP official urges Lebanese authorities to bear their responsibilities                  

The head of the political committee at the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Ali Eid said on Saturday that meetings were ongoing in order to take the appropriate measures in Tripoli.        

“This time, I will be following my supporters in any measures they take,” Eid told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Saturday.    

Eid also noted that the ADP was threatened when 3 persons from Jabal Mohsen were killed and more than 60 others were targeted, urging the Lebanese authorities to bear their responsibilities.              

• Rapprochement between Aoun and Hariri aims to serve all Lebanese factions -  Sources         

Prominent sources at the Free Patriotic Movement reported to Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that the meeting between MP Michel Aoun and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri was positive; pointing out that Hariri had previously expressed his support to a strong Christian president.         

The sources did not rule out the possibility of nominating MP Aoun for the presidency; however, stressed that the rapprochement between the Future Bloc and the FPM aims at reaching a statement of understanding that serves all Lebanese factions.