Press Digest for Saturday March 15, 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 of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil: Endorsement of policy statement "is a victory for national principles"

Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that the endorsement of the policy statement "is a victory for the national principles that we believe in."

He also added that his party "is 100%  satisfied with the articles of the policy statement and will grant the cabinet the vote of confidence."

In turn, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebran Bassil told the Daily that the endorsement of the policy statement is "a victory for all the Lebanese people."

He also stressed that the policy statement focused on the right to resist the Israeli occupation and the Lebanese state's duty to preserve the country's independence and sovereignty.
 

• Sheikh Nabil Rahim: killing of innocent people is unacceptable in Tripoli

Member of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Salafist Sheikh Nabil Rahim told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Saturday that the Muslim Scholars advised Tripoli's fighters to allow the Lebanese army respond to the source of fire coming from Jabal Mohsen neighborhood.

Sheikh Rahim added that it is unacceptable that innocent people are being killed in Tripoli, mainly children and women.

He concluded by stressing the importance of arresting all fighters, as well as head of the Arab Democratic Party Ali Eid.

• Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi says has reservations over policy statement

Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Saturday that his stance over the policy statement has nothing to do with his feud with Hezbollah.

Rifi also noted that he has several reservations concerning the statement, mainly concerning the right of resistance, not urging Hezbollah to withdraw from Syria and not calling on the armed party to end the self-imposed security practiced in the regions of Arsal and Labwe.

• Former Speaker Hussein Al-Husseini: Self extended mandate parliament cannot elect new President

Former Speaker Hussein Al-Husseini told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that the self extended mandate parliament cannot elect a new president.

He also stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections before electing a new president.

On another note, Al-Husseini noted that Lebanese people has the right to resist the Israeli occupation.