Press Digest for Sunday March 30, 2014

3^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.

Intensive contacts held following Sayyed Nasrallah’s speech

An-Nahar daily reported on Sunday that intensive contacts were held between Baabda, al-Msaytbeh and Ain El Tineh following the speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Contacts were made in a bid to tackle dialogue among the Lebanese parties.

Sources also told the daily that Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam are exerting efforts so that Hezbollah does not boycott dialogue.

Bishop Mazloum says Bkerke meeting was positive, constructive

Bishop Samir Mazloum stressed on Sunday that the meeting of Maronite leaders in Bkerke "was positive and constructive," and said: “Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bshara Boutros Rai is reassured by preparations taking place to hold the presidential elections on time”.

“We hope the election session will be held the soonest possible,” Bishop Mazloum told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah daily.

He also said constitutional institutions must play their natural role, noting that the concerned parties should vie for the presidential post in a democratic way.

ADP SG Refaat Eid calls for swift implementation of Tripoli’s security plan

The Secretary General of the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Eid hoped on Sunday that Tripoli’s security plan will be soon implemented while leading to a ceasefire.

Asked whether he is willing to hand over heavy weapons to the Lebanese army as a sign of goodwill to make the plan succeed, Eid said he will not reveal, at the time being, whether his party has heavy weapons or not.

“What matters is the implementation of an efficient security plan that protects citizens and leads to ceasefire in the northern city,” he told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah daily.