Press Digest for Thursday June 26, 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.

Saudi ambassador Assiri says contacts ongoing to reveal identity of Wednesday's suicide bomber

Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri did not confirm the identity of the suicide bomber who blew himself up on Wednesday in a hotel room in Beirut's Raouche as being Saudi.

Speaking to Acharq al-Awsat newspaper Assiri added that contacts are currently ongoing with the Lebanese Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq and the Lebanese concerned authorities to verify the identity of the said bomber.

He also noted that all employees of the Saudi embassy in Beirut located near the explosion site are "safe and in good health."

Assiri concluded by stressing that "terrorism has no religion or nationality," adding that the Saudi Arabian Kingdom was among the first nations to suffer the consequences of terrorist attacks.

Former Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi says Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa refused to meet him

Former United Nations-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi told al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday that Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa refused to meet him during his last visit to Syria.

On another note, Brahimi said he was surprised at the "overt military intervention of Hezbollah in Syria," adding that the armed party was initially established to face Israel.

Minister of Interior Machnouq says ministers must cooperate to face security threats

Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the cabinet session set to take place today (Thursday) will tackle the security situation in the country.

Machnouq also called on all ministers to cooperate in order to face security threats.

On another note, the minister noted that the cabinet will tackle the government's work mechanism during the presidential vacuum.

Lebanese authorities to ask Gulf nationals to obtain visas ahead of their visit to Lebanon-sources

Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the Lebanese authorities will take a series of measures at the land and maritime borders, as well as at Beirut International Airport to avert security threats.

The same sources added that the Lebanese authorities will oblige Gulf nationals to obtain the Lebanese visas in advance rather than getting them upon their arrival in Beirut in order to avoid the infiltration of terrorists into the country.