Press Digest for Thursday June 12, 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.

• Azzi: Cabinet must maintain unity in holding leadership of the country

Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi stressed the need that the cabinet maintains its unity and solidarity in holding the leadership of the country, in order to ensure the best circumstances to end the current situation and lead the country to salvation.

In a statement to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Azzi said that all the parties are keen on the cabinet’s unity, calling for holding national dialogue in order to find solutions for the current crises.

• Aoun to Frangieh: I am not waiting Hariri’s response- daily

As-Safir daily reported that during the meeting held on Wednesday between the head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun and the head of the Marada Movement MP Sleiman Frangieh, the officials tackled personal matters, as well as political issues including the presidential elections and the mechanism adopted by the cabinet in order to carry out duties.

According to the daily, Aoun informed Frangieh of the course of his talks with the head of the Future Movement Saad Hariri; while he stressed that he prioritizes his relations with his allies.

In this regard, the newspaper cited Aoun as saying that he achieved many positive accomplishments on several levels, but “he is not waiting for Hariri’s response in the issue of the presidency.”

During the meeting, Aoun pointed out that he preserves the same strategic stances and is keen on maintaining good relation with the allies, while expressing openness for discussions with the Future Movement, the daily added.

For his part, Frangieh confirmed that Aoun is March 8’s main presidential candidate, noting that he will support him till the end.

• Bou Saab: Official exams to be held amid normal atmosphere

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed that the official exams will take place amid a normal atmosphere on Friday.

In a statement to an-Nahar daily, Bou Saab called on the students to be well prepared, expressing his understanding to the difficult situation they went through over the past week.    

• Minister Derbass: Lebanon to continue implementing decision issued concerning Syrian refugees

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass said that he informed the executive body of the High Relief Committee that Lebanon will continue implementing the decision taken concerning the issue of the Syrian refugees, according to which, every Syrian national who returns to Syria can no longer be considered as a refugee.

Derbass told an-Nahar newspaper that Lebanon will not accept requests for any political asylum, unless it comes as a result from fighting at the Lebanese-Syrian borders.