Press Digest for Tuesday April 1, 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.

• Salafist cleric Dai al-Islam al Shahhal denies calling for attacks against LAF

Salafist cleric Dai al-Islam al Shahhal told As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday that he did not call for instigating attacks against the Lebanese Armed Forces.

He also denied media reports stating that he called on the LAF Sunnite officers to defect from the army.

Al Shahhal urged Tripoli's residents to not provoke or attack the army, adding that he condemned the latest attack on the LAF checkpoint in the Wadi Ata region.

• MP Ammar Houry: Hezbollah boycott of new round of dialogue is a "boycott of national consensus"

MP Ammar Houry told Al-Seyassah newspaper on Tuesday that Hezbollah's boycott of the new round of the National Dialogue  is a "boycott of national consensus."

Houry noted that Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Nasrallah attempted in his latest speech on Saturday to justify the party's military involvement in Syria.

As for the presidential elections, MP Houry asserted to the daily that efforts are being deployed to submit a candidate who represents the March 14 camp, refusing to comment on the candidacy of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

• Implementation of Tripoli and Bekaa security plans to kick off Tuesday-sources

Security sources told As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday that the implementation of the security plans for both the Bekaa and Tripoli regions will start as of today (Tuesday).

The same sources added that the security apparatuses were given orders to be firm while implementing the plan.

The sources did not deny media reports stating that the Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid and his son Refaat fled Tripoli to an unknown destination.

According to the daily, the Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouq is coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces and security apparatuses in this regard.

• Patriarch Rai says he trusts Speaker Berri's efforts over presidential elections-sources

Sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday that the committee dispatched by Speaker Nabih Berri to meet with Lebanese leaders over the presidential elections held talks with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Rai.

Sources added that the committee reiterated Berri's insistence to the Patriarch on creating a positive atmosphere for the presidential elections as well as guarantying a quorum prior to the election session.

According to the daily, Patriarch Rai told the committee that "he trusts Speaker Berri and his efforts," adding that the committee did not tackle the amendment of the constitution with the Patriarch.