Press Digest for Monday April 28, 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.

Contacts between FPM, Future bloc did not yield new results- sources

Sources told Al-Joumhouria daily on Monday that the Change and Reform bloc's stance with regards to Wednesday's parliamentary session will be disclosed following the bloc's weekly meeting to be held on Tuesday.

Sources close to the Free Patriotic Movement also told the newspaper that contacts taking place between the FPM and the Future bloc did not yield new results, adding that Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun wants to be proposed as a consensual candidate for the presidential elections.

Speaker Berri says will take another approach if situation remains the same

An-Nahar newspaper quoted the guests of Speaker Nabih Berri as saying that he has been dealing with the presidential elections in a traditional way.

"Should the situation remain the same during the upcoming sessions, I will adopt a different approach," Berri's guests quoted him as saying.

Separately, Speaker Berri said he is not following up on the work of the parliamentary committee regarding the series of ranks and salaries, calling on the concerned parties to await the committee's report, which will be issued on Wednesday.

Tripoli's security plan will be fully implemented- sources

Military sources stressed on Monday that Tripoli's security plan is underway, noting that it will be fully implemented "regardless of sacrifices and under any circumstances".

"All those who seek to destabilize the city and disrupt the work of the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security institutions, will be pursued regardless of their political affiliations," the sources told As-Safir daily.

"The security measures that were taken during the last two days led to the detention of main suspects accused of throwing hand grenades," the military sources said, adding that investigations were launched under the supervision of the concerned judiciary.

Future bloc MP Houry: We are keen on electing a new president before May 25

Future bloc MP Ammar Houry told al-Mustaqbal daily on Monday that the March 14 forces will wage the presidential battle while nominating Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea as a single candidate.

"Consultations are underway among the March 14 components but the plan that was previously agreed upon has not change," Houry said.

"We are keen on holding the presidential elections on their constitutional date and electing a new president before May 25th," he said, adding that "the other party [March 8 coalition] is working hard to drag the country toward political void".