Press Digest for Monday April 07, 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.

MP Jumblatt holds several contacts with French officials in Paris

Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Monday that the National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt who is on a private visit to Paris, has held several contacts with French officials at the Elysee Palace and at the Foreign Ministry.

The officials highlighted the need to hold the presidential elections on time and stressed that Lebanon needs a strong president who will be able to face challenges, the daily said.

They also confirmed that France will exert tireless efforts with its allies so that an agreement could be reached among the Lebanese over the upcoming entitlement.

Media reports also said that MP Jumblatt will soon head to Moscow where he will meet Russian officials.

More than 60 fugitives escape prior to the implementation of Bekaa's security plan

A security source stressed on Monday that the security plan in Bekaa aims to end terrorism, kidnappings and attempts to steal vehicles in the Baalbek towns of Britel, Hay al-Sharawineh and al-Dar al-Wasiaa.

The plan is also being implemented in Arsal where the Lebanese army continuously raid the whereabouts of terrorist suspects and arrest gunmen who fled the Qalamoun battles and who are deployed in the town's barren range.

The same source also told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that more than 60 fugitives had escaped before the campaign started, and said: "Britel harbors dozens of fugitives accused of stealing vehicles and implementing terrorist acts".

Minister Mashnouq voices readiness to discuss Civil Defense law

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq said he was committed to the one-week deadline he had asked for, noting that he has finished studying the Civil Defense law.

Mashnouq also told Al-Joumhouria daily on Monday that he is ready to discuss the aforementioned law at the plenary session to be held this week.

"There is absolutely no problem with regards to the rights of Civil Defense volunteers as well as workers and employees," he added.

Hezbollah claims responsibility for March attack on Israeli patrol

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah claimed the group's responsibility for an attack on an Israeli military patrol in the occupied Shebaa Farms area last month.

Nasrallah also told As Safir newspaper in an interview published on Monday that the roadside bomb ambush was carried out by the Resistance in retaliation to an Israeli raid in February on one of the group's positions in an area near the Lebanese-Syrian border.

"Israel got the message … It's all about deterrence,” Hezbollah Secretary General said.

In this regard, Nasrallah ruled out a new Israeli attack on Lebanon, noting that the developments in Syria are a cause of concern for Israel.