Press Digest for Tuesday March 04, 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 Harb says Resistance dossier halting the drafting of policy statement    
  

Telecommunication Minister Boutros Harb said on Tuesday the dossier of the Resistance is the only matter halting the drafting of the cabinet policy statement, adding that new proposals were not suggested.                  

Minister Harb stated to Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the problem is still prevailing; however, the atmosphere at the sessions is positive, adding that ministers decided to hold the next session of Friday in order to have some time to hold talks pertaining to the said dossier.                     

• Monday’s cabinet session was not essential - sources           

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday there was no need to hold a cabinet session on Monday seemingly since political stances are still the same, stating that the only development was the statement made by Minister of Interior Nouhad Mashnouq in which he clarified the position of his party.     

The sources ruled out the possibility of any fruitful results before the return of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman from France; after the international aid conference which aims at supporting Lebanon.                         

• Minister Faraon says Hezbollah does not accept the other opinion                  

Minister of Tourism Michel Faraon said on Tuesday Hezbollah’s response to the latest speech delivered by Lebanese President Michel Sleiman is a proof that the said party does not accept the other opinion and those who are against its participation in the Syrian war.              

Minister Faraon told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that President Sleiman aimed at restoring dialogue sessions among Lebanese factions.        

On another note, the minister expressed his hope that ministers draft a policy statement that organizes the work of the cabinet, stressing that he prefers a precise statement.          

He also pointed out that the conference which will be held in France is to aid the Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens who are providing them with assistance.      

• MP Wehbe says Syrian airstrikes are continuously targeting Arsal                   

Future Bloc MP Amine Wehbe said on Tuesday it’s not the first time that Syrian airstrikes target the Lebanese bordering town of Arsal, pointing out that there are no deterrent measures to prevent the Syrian regime from conducting these airstrikes.       

Wehbe told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil should raise a complaint to the United Nations Security Council, although the party that Bassil supports is not against Hezbollah’s participation in the Syrian crisis.