Press Digest for Saturday May 10, 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.

• Rai, Bassil discuss presidential elections during Bkerke's meeting-sources

Sources told al-Joumhouria  newspaper on Saturday that Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil did not discuss with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai the impacts of his scheduled trip to Jerusalem during their last meeting in Bkerke.

The same sources added that discussions featured high over the presidential elections, adding that Rai reiterated the importance of reaching legal quorum to elect a new president for the country.

• LF Leader Geagea says he is still candidate for the presidential elections

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told Acharq al-Awsat newspaper on Saturday that he is still a candidate for the presidential elections.

Geagea voiced his pessimism over the possibility of electing a new president during Thursday's cabinet session.

He also stressed that Hezbollah wants to push the country towards a presidential vacuum, adding that the armed party is trying to impose a certain candidate on Lebanon's first Christian post.

Geagea expressed his readiness  to hold dialogue with any leader to discuss the presidential elections, adding that he does not accept any consensual candidate from outside March 14 camp.

• Patriarch Rai will not meet Israeli officials during Jerusalem trip-sources

Sources close to the Maronite Patriarchate told al-Rai newspaper on Saturday that the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai will not visit Mount Herzl in Israel during his trip to Jerusalem.

The same sources added that Rai will receive Pope Francis for being the patriarch of regions extending from Turkey until Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that he has a duty to welcome the Pope in any country within these regions.

According to the daily, Rai will not meet any Israeli officials during his journey in Jerusalem.

• UNHCR  may build refugees camps inside Lebanon - sources

Sources close to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that the United Nations is holding talks with the Lebanese state over the possibility of establishing camps for the Syrian refugees inside Lebanon.

Same sources added that the camps will be reportedly built far away from the Lebanese-Syrian border to avoid any possible clashes.
According to the daily, the UN called on the International community to help Lebanon ins assuming the burdens of the Syrian refugees crisis.