Press Digest for Friday June 13, 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.

Interior Minister Mashnouq: We should do more to uproot terrorism

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told As-Safir newspaper on Friday that the whole region is witnessing turmoil, noting that the Lebanese parties have no right to deepen their differences.

"Given the dangerous regional situation, we should exert more efforts to deal with terrorism and safeguard our national and political cohesion," Mashnouq said upon his return from Qatar.

The minister added that Lebanon's cabinet should be considered as a basis for work and the parliament a place for legislation, not political disputes.

MP Sukkarieh says ISIL poses a threat to everyone

Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Walid Sukkarieh said on Friday that "Hezbollah has nothing to do with the situation in Iraq," noting that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses a threat to everyone.

"It is high time to end this aberrant phenomenon," MP Sukkarieh told Al-Joumhouria newspaper.

"The Iraqi situation will significantly affect the regional situation and the policies of all countries, mainly the U.S. policy which has labeled ISIL and the Nusra Front as terrorist organizations," he added.

FM Zebari says Iraq's situation is 'not out of control'

Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told Asharq Al-Awsat daily on Friday that "the Iraqi situation is not out of control," adding that it could be improved.

Zebari said this improvement can be achieved through practical measures on the ground, describing the military breakdown in Mosul as a great threat to Iraq.

Speaker Berri calls on Lebanese parties to stay united

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Friday against the dangerous repercussions of the Iraqi situation, calling on the Lebanese people to safeguard their country.

"I hope the incidents in Iraq would prompt the Lebanese parties to stay united in order to protect their country from regional unrest," Berri told As-Safir newspaper.

On another note, Speaker Berri warned against attempts to disrupt Lebanon's institutions, reiterating his sharp criticism of those who are adamant on obstructing the parliament's work during power vacuum.