Press Digest for Monday March 24, 2014

4^min

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.

LAF Kahwaji says terrorism threatens all the Lebanese

Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwaji stressed on Monday that the war against terrorists is open-ended since terrorism threatens all the Lebanese without any exceptions.

In this regard, he told As-Safir newspaper that the Lebanese army will act firmly when dealing with terrorist groups and all those providing them with a political cover.

Kahwaji also said he was reassured to the latest security measures implemented on the border, noting that they thwart attempts to target civilians.

He added that attacks against the LAF and other security apparatuses undermine civil peace, and said: “The Lebanese army will not stand idly by”.

President Sleiman voices rejection to potential extension of his term- sources

“President Michel Sleiman told Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bshara Boutros Rai he rejects a potential extension of his term and he is working to hold the presidential elections on time,” sources told Al-Joumhouria daily.

“Sleiman also highlights the need to assist Lebanon in contacts with international leaders, the latest being held with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy,” the sources said.

Future bloc MP Fatfat calls for decisive decision to demilitarize Tripoli

Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said on Monday that Tripoli will remain to be used as a mailbox and a hostage to widespread illegitimate weapons unless a decisive decision is issued to demilitarize the northern city.

MP Fatfat also voiced his rejection to the condition set by the Secretary General of the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Eid who asked for international guarantees to hand over weapons of Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen, noting that it is “a provocation par excellence”.

Fatfat also told the Kuwait-based Al Anbaa newspaper that "Hezbollah media outlets are solely concerned with keeping abuses of Refaat Eid and all the group’s allies, away from the media spotlight".

Speaker Berri calls for urgent security plan in Tripoli, Bekaa

Speaker Nabih Berri said he has formed a committee comprised of Development and Liberation Bloc members, noting that it will hold consultations with the political parties over the presidential entitlement after March 25.

Asked about the dire security situation in Tripoli and the continuous kidnappings in Bekaa, Berri told As-Safir newspaper “there is an urgent need for a security-development plan to be implemented in Tripoli and Bekaa”.

“The current situation in Tripoli and Bekaa is no longer acceptable,” he added.