Press Digest for Sunday April 20, 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.

• Future movement to support Geagea's candidacy for presidency within 48 hours-sources

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that the Future movement will announce its support for Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea's candidacy for the presidency in the coming 48 hours.

Same sources added that the LF delegation tasked to tour Lebanese officials to hand them over a copy of Geagea's presidential program will meet with Kataeb party leader Amine Gemayel.

According to the Daily, the LF and Kataeb parties will tackle during the meeting the voting process to elect a new president.

• Interior Minister Machnouq, former Minister Aridi cooperate over Lebanese citizens in Tfeil-sources

Sources told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Sunday that a phone call took place between Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq and former Minister of Public Works Ghazi Aridi over the case of the Lebanese citizens in the border village of Tfeil.

Same sources added that Aridi expressed his readiness to assist in implementing the plan set to help citizens “safely” escape the village.

According to the Daily, the High Relief Commission (HRC) will provide the Lebanese citizens who will escape the town with tents and food  until they become able to provide for themselves.

• Speaker Berri says quorum will be not reached in Wednesday's parliamentary session- sources

Sources quoted  Speaker Nabih Berri as saying that the quorum will be not reached in Wednesday's parliamentary session tasked to elect a new president.

Same sources told al-Hayat newspaper that Speaker Berri will call for several other sessions since any of the candidates running for the presidency will not receive the majority of votes.

• Father of British teenager killed in Syria says he never encouraged his son to fight in Syria

The father of Abdullah Deghayes, the British teenager killed in Syria told Acharq al-Awsat newspaper on Sunday that he never encouraged his son to go to Syria.

He also said that his two other sons, are also fighting in Syria to defend the "weak people."

He also revealed that he traveled to Turkey earlier this year to meet his sons, Abdullah and Jafar, in an attempt to stop them entering Syria to fight.
 
According to the Daily, he concluded by stressing that dozens of innocent people are being killed every day in Syria.