Press Digest for Saturday June 14, 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.

• Maj. Gen. Abbas says visit to Qatar was positive

General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim stated on Saturday that the visit of Interior Minister Noouhad Mashnouq was positive, stressing that he, along with minister Mashnouq discussed with Qatari officials the dossier of Lebanese detainees abroad.

Abbas told As-Safir newspaper that Qatari officials voiced their support to help resolve the said dossier, emphasizing that their release will be similar to previous exchange deals and will include Lebanese photographer Samir Kassab.

• Future Bloc supports extension of parliament’s mandate - Sources

Sources following up on the latest political developments stated on Saturday that Lebanese officials discussed the concept of holding parliamentary elections before presidential elections.

In this regard, the sources told As-Safir newspaper that House Speaker Nabih Berri discussed this matter with Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun who did not reject the concept, but was concerned on the basis of which law the elections will be held.

Political sources also reported to the newspaper that parliamentary blocs prefer extending the mandate of the parliament until Spring 2015 or for an entire year, until the 20th of November, stressing that the Future Bloc prefers prolonging the parliament’s mandate for national reasons.

• MP Kanaan to hold talks with MP Bahia Hariri

Change and Reform Bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan stated on Saturday that his meeting with House Speaker Nabih Berri and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil aimed at discussing the country’s social crisis.              

In this regard, Kanaan told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that he tackled with Berri and Hassan Khalil various points pertaining to the series of ranks and salaries, stressing that the he will discuss with parliamentary blocs the concept of increasing the value added tax (VAT).              

Kanaan also mentioned that he had previously met with Future Bloc MP Jamal Jarrah, adding that he will hold talks on Monday with MP Bahia Hariri.                       

• Implemented measures will decrease influx of refugees into Lebanon - Minister

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass said on Saturday that it is the first time that ministry addresses the issue of the Syrian refugees in a serious manner, stressing that the ministry is no longer concerned with the influx of refugees since the measures it implemented will definitely decrease the influx.

 Derbass told As-Safir newspaper that Lebanon has been witnessing financial losses since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, stressing that the dossier of refugees may not be fully addressed if the international community does not aid Lebanon.