Press Digest for Friday May 09, 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.

EU's Eichhorst says Lebanon's presidential elections are 'an internal affair'

EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst expressed hope on Friday that the Lebanese parties would avoid a potential presidential vacuum, noting that the electoral process is an internal affair.

"Linking Lebanon's presidential elections to that of Syria means that the Lebanese are not willing to abide by [constitutional] deadlines," Eichhorst told An-Nahar daily.

This as, the ambassador lauded efforts being exerted to agree on a new president before May 25, stressing the need to elect a head of state who enjoys wide support among the Lebanese.

Archbishop Hage says Israel is not allowed to impose conditions on Rai's visit

Moussa El-Hage, Archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land, stressed on Friday that the Maronite community in particular and the Palestinians in general are "joyously" awaiting the visit of Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai.

In an interview with Al-Joumhouria newspaper, Archbishop Hage denied that Israel had set conditions for the said visit.

"Israel is not allowed to impose conditions on a Church Head and if it decides to do so, we will not be submissive," Hage said.

Labor Minister Azzi says Kataeb leader Gemayel aims to 'save the presidency'

Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi said Kataeb party leader Amin Gemayel does not aim, in his meetings with Lebanese Christian leaders, to announce his candidacy for the presidential elections.

"As a national leader, Gemayel has taken a political initiative to save the presidency," Azzi told Asharq al-Awsat daily on Friday.

The minister also said Gemayel did not ask Christian leaders to withdraw from the presidential race or to back his own candidacy, noting that he is trying to spare the country a power vacuum.

Terrorism suspect Jamal Daftardar in critical condition- sources

Al-Hayat newspaper quoted informed sources as saying on Friday that detainee Jamal Daftardar, a leader of an al Qaeda-linked militant group, is in a critical condition.

The sources added that Daftardar, who remains in hospital, has been quarantined in a room where he will undergo surgery to have his leg amputated.