Press Digest for Monday June 02, 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.

Minister Bou Saab says will take a stance regarding Lebanon's official exams

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said he will take a stance today regarding the fate of Lebanon's official exams, noting that he is holding contacts with teachers, professors as well as the Union Coordination Committee.

"There are different choices ahead... and I will do my utmost to bring justice to both the teachers and the students," the minister told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday.

Cardinal Rai will avoid debates over his controversial visit to Jerusalem- sources

Sources told An-Nahar daily on Monday that further debates may take place, in the next few days, over the campaign that targeted Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai.

This comes after Rai met with former members of the South Lebanon Army, a militia that was allied with Israel during its 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon.

"Cardinal Rai, who declined to make any statement upon his return to Lebanon on Saturday, will be keen to avoid any kind of debates," Bkerke sources said.

PM Salam warns against attempts to disrupt Lebanon's executive power

Prime Minister Tammam Salam hoped on Monday that the cabinet would agree on a mechanism of action, allowing it to run the affairs of the state and deal with the people's problems.

In this regard, Salam admitted that Lebanon is grappling with an imbalance of power after lawmakers failed to elect a new president.

"We should be adamant on the election of a new head of state in order to address this imbalance," PM Salam told An-Nahar daily.

He also warned against attempts to disrupt Lebanon's executive power, adding that the obstruction of the government's work takes a toll on the country.

Former US envoy urges the Lebanese not to rely on external forces to elect new president

Former US under Secretary of State for Middle East Richard Murphy said on Monday that Lebanon's presidential issue could be settled should an agreement be reached among rival parties.

"The Lebanese should not rely on external forces and must assume their responsibilities," Murphy told An-Nahar newspaper.

"You are good at blaming others... but you had repeatedly elected a head of state and you are able to do it again this time," he said, addressing the Lebanese parties.