Press Digest for Tuesday February 25, 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.

• President Sleiman highlights importance of Baabda Declaration             

An-Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday that Lebanese President Michel Sleiman expressed, during his meeting on Monday with Prime Minister Tammam Salam, his hope of listing the Baabda Declaration in the ministerial statement.         

Sources following up on the talks held at the Baabda Palace stated that President Sleiman highlighted the importance of the said declaration, emphasizing the necessity of giving confidence to the cabinet before the 15th of March in order to take part in the international conference which will be held in France in order to help Lebanon bear the burden of the Syrian refugees.                    

• Minister Harb: PM Salam suggested new ideas related to Baabda Declaration      

Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam suggested new ideas pertaining to the Baabda Declaration and the Resistance, pointing out that some ministers asked for a short period of time to refer back to their political parties.           

Minister Harb told An-Nahar newspaper that a positive atmosphere is prevailing over the ministerial sessions, adding that all factions are working to a reach a statement agreed upon by all parties so the cabinet may garner the confidence of the parliament.                            

• MP Ogassapian expresses support to Baabda Declaration, calls on Hezbollah to withdraw from Syria               

Future Bloc MP Jean Ogassapian said on Tuesday that the regional and international path followed when forming the new cabinet will be followed until reaching an agreement regarding the governmental statement.          

Ogassapian told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Hezbollah may no longer withstand the death of its fighters in Syria, pointing out at the suicide attacks taking place in Lebanon, and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon.    

In this regard, MP Ogassapian expressed his support to the Baabda Declaration, and called on Hezbollah to withdraw its forces from Syria.            

• ADP official says Ali Eid has an attorney and may not appear before court    

The head of the political committee at the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Ali Eid said on Tuesday there is a conflict with Justice Minister Ashraf Riffi, pointing out that the ADP is adherent to the Lebanese laws.                

In this regard, Eid called on citizens of Tripoli not to refrain from heading to streets for solving their conflicts.         

“Where are the rights of 3 victims and more than 64 persons who were targeted in Tripoli? Aren’t they victims too and don’t they have rights?” Eid asked Minister Riffi via As-Safir newspaper.      

Eid also pointed out that Ali Eid has an attorney, assuring that the latter may not appear in court due to health reasons, adding that the arrest warrant against Ali Eid was issued after exerting pressure on the judiciary.