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.
Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass stated on Tuesday that the decision of Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq pertaining to the status of refugees will not have any repercussions on Lebanon.
Derbass stressed that the decision, that stipulates the annulment of the refugee status in light of Syrian expats heading to Damascus, aims at controlling the presence of Syrian nationals in the country.
Derbass told the Kuwaiti newspaper
As-Seyassah that "any state will face a number of threats and dangers if it does not control the issue of refugee influx into its territories."
In this regard, Derbass emphasized the necessity of controlling the influx of refugees, stressing that Lebanon will no longer receive those who are heading to Syria on a weekly basis or others who are coming from places deemed safe.
Derbass also said that the Ministry of Interior’s decision is not related to the Syrian presidential elections, stressing that the cabinet had been discussing this issue since its formation.
Former President Michel Sleiman stated on Tuesday that his visit to Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai on Monday aimed at expressing his support to the patriarch, adding that campaigns raised against the latter are unacceptable.
Sleiman told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the Patriarch has a parish in Jerusalem, adding that Rai had previously visited his parish when he was a bishop.
“Jerusalem is not for Israel; it is a Christian Arab land,” Sleiman said.
He also pointed out that Patriarch Rai had informed him along with Prime Minister Tammam Salam that he was willing to visit the Holy Land, stressing that Rai did not hold talks with any Israeli official.
Catholic Schools Secretary General Father Boutros Azar voiced on Tuesday his regret over the adjournment of the official exams, expressing his concern over the fate of students.
Fr. Azar told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that official exams will lose their value, asking whether the ministry of education will postpone them every year until it meets the demands of the teachers.
In this regard, Fr. Azar called on teachers to adhere to their educational mission, stressing that students should not pay the price of the state’s decisions.
Head of the National Liberal Party, MP Dory Chamoun, stated on Tuesday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai’s visit to the Holy Land was a positive step, denouncing all campaigns raised against the latter.
“It is normal that Patriarch Rai visit his parish in the Holy Land,” Chamoun told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper, refusing to discuss the stance of the March 14 forces in this regard.