Press Digest for Saturday June 28, 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.

• MP Fatfat rules out possibility of electing a president soon

Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat stated on Saturday that fears from explosions and suicide attacks will prevail over Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is fighting alongside the Syrian regime, stressing that Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into a regional conflict.

In this regard, MP Fatfat expressed his hope that Hezbollah withdraws its forces from Syria and adheres to the Baabda declaration.

Fatfat condemned via Al-Joumhouria newspaper all terrorist attacks targeting Lebanon, pointing out that such attacks are never justified.

On another note, MP Fatfat ruled out the possibility of electing a president soon, stating that the session scheduled for next Wednesday will be similar to other sessions.

• Political divisions are hindering presidential elections – Marada official

Member of Al-Marada political bureau Youssef Saadeh stated on Saturday that calls upon Christian factions to meet in Bkerke do not lead to the election of a president, stressing that political divisions are hindering the electoral process.

Saadeh told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the said meeting does not decrease divisions between Christian parties; however, pointed out that the Marada party will participate in the meeting if it were asked by Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai to take part.

• Presidential elections will not be held before next autumn – French official

An-Nahar newspaper stated on Saturday that a prominent French official reported to Lebanese factions that the presidential elections will not be achieved before next autumn even though contacts are being held to disassociate Lebanon from regional developments.

In this regard, An-Nahar newspaper reported that a meeting was held in Paris between French and American officials, pointing out that the officials discussed the Lebanese situation in light of the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius to the Middle East.  

• Officials call for taking Lebanon’s benefit into consideration when tackling Syria dossier - Sources

Western sources stated on Saturday that Lebanon asked ambassadors of the 5 permanent members of the United Nations to Lebanon to report to their governments the necessity of taking Lebanon’s benefit into consideration when ratifying international law pertaining to the Syrian humanitarian crisis.

In this regard, sources reported to Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that Russia is willing to aid Syrian refugees; however, mentioned that the Syrian government did not issue a clear stance regarding this matter.

Meanwhile, unofficial sources stated that the position of the Syrian government is similar to that of Russia.