Press Digest for Sunday June 01, 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.

• MP Zahra: March 8 forces should bear the responsibility of presidential vacuum

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra stated on Sunday that March 8 forces, mainly Hezbollah and Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, should bear the responsibility of hindering the presidential elections.

MP Zahra told the Kuwaiti newspaper As- Seyassah that March 14 forces will attend all sessions scheduled to elect a president, stressing that deputies have a constitutional duty and boycotting the sessions violates article 74 of the Lebanese constitution.

• Minister Harb says MP Aoun should be held accountable for hindering elections

Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb stated on Sunday that there isn’t any disagreement between ministers over the issue of presidential prerogatives, stressing that there are various points of view since the cabinet is comprised from all political factions. 

Harb told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that ministers are referring to the constitution and Lebanese laws when discussing the presidential prerogatives in order to reach common grounds and find the right mechanism to handle these powers.           

In this regard, Minister Harb pointed out that discussions will continue on Tuesday. 

Harb also stated that Change and Reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun is responsible for presidential void, accusing the latter of all the dangers that are currently threatening Lebanon.          

He also mentioned that March 14 forces may adopt the candidacy of someone else than Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea.    

• Ministry of Interior to control influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon

Al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Sunday that Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq took the decision to control the influx of refugees in Lebanon after holding various talks and discussions with United Nations representatives.      

In this regard, sources reported to the newspaper that Syrian refugees are allowed to head to Syria; however, stressed that when they return to Lebanon they will be registered as Syrian citizens rather than refugees.             

The same sources pointed out that Syrian citizens in Lebanon will not benefit from the aid granted to refugees, emphasizing that security forces will check the identities of citizens crossing the Lebanese Syrian borders.    

The sources added to the newspaper that "this long-term decision will help the Lebanese cabinet in addressing and controlling the dossier of Syrian refugees."