Press Digest for Monday March 31, 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.

MP Hamadeh says extension of President Sleiman's mandate still an option

MP Marwan Hamadeh stressed on Monday that the majority of political parties will declare their stances as soon as Speaker Nabih Berri calls for the first session to elect a new President.

"At that time, the March 14 and 8 coalitions and maybe other independent MPs will announce their candidacies for the presidency," MP Hamadeh told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah newspaper.

He also said the extension of President Michel Sleiman's mandate is still possible, adding however that it requires an amendment to the constitution in the presence of 86 deputies.

ADP SG Refaat Eid left Tripoli's Jabal Mohsen towards Syria

"The Secretary General of the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Eid left Tripoli's Jabal Mohsen towards the Syrian territories via illegal crossings," security sources told Al-Joumhouria daily on Monday.

"Eid was accompanied with ADP military and political officials," the sources said, adding that contacts were lost with a number of axes leaders in Bab al-Tabbaneh.

"It highlights the seriousness of Tripoli's security plan," observers said.

Minister Azzi says Kataeb leader Gemayel will partake in dialogue

Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi told As-Safir daily on Monday that Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel will partake in the national dialogue since "he truly believes that dialogue is key to Lebanon's existence".

In this regard, Azzi stressed the need to distance dialogue from political disputes.

Axes leaders in Jabal Mohsen, Bab al-Tabbaneh left Tripoli

Sources told Al-Liwaa daily on Monday that the majority of axes leaders in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen left the northern city after their names were published on social media websites as wanted fugitives.

"74 persons left the city, among whom the Secretary General of the Arab Democratic Party Refaat Eid and his father Ali Eid who is reportedly in Syria now," the sources said.

The daily also said the General Security arrested in Akkar one of the axes leaders from Jabal Mohsen, known as Sleiman Ali Saiid.