Press Digest for Monday June 30, 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.

Harb: Aoun's stance hindering Bkerke's efforts to elect new president

Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb stressed on Monday that the Lebanese government is working hard to fight terror, noting that the failure to elect a new head of state poses a greater threat to the country.

"Bkerke is exerting significant pressure to elect a new president," Harb told the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah daily.

He added however that the stance of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun is hindering efforts exerted by the Maronite Patriarchate.

Cardinal Rai says presidential election issue reached dead-end

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rai told his guests on Sunday that the presidential election issue has reached a dead-end, An-Nahar newspaper reported on Monday.

In this regard, Cardinal Rai blamed the Lebanese parties who are adamant on linking Lebanon's presidential entitlement to external powers, holding Christian leaders responsible for the failure to attend presidential election sessions.

The Patriarch received information that Lebanon's presidential election does not constitute a priority for regional and international parties, sources said, adding that the situation in Iraq is now their main concern.

Ambassador Ali: We refuse to establish Syrian refugee camps

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali said on Monday he is concerned, at the time being, with finding a solution to the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon and other countries "in a way that preserves their dignity, security and safety".

"No settlement could be reached unless there is cooperation with the Syrian government," Ali told As-Safir daily.

The ambassador also noted that Syria is adamant on cooperation with the Lebanese authorities since it benefits both countries.

"The Syrian authorities refuse to establish refugee camps since those who support this idea do not want a settlement for the Syrian refugee crisis," Ali added.

Speaker Berri voices rejection to potential extension of Parliament's mandate

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Monday that the military institution and the security apparatuses are now the sole remaining "guarantors" for Lebanon especially since most of the government's constitutional institutions were rendered ineffective.

Berri also told As-Safir newspaper that he rejects the possibility of extending the parliament's mandate, stressing the need to hold the upcoming parliamentary elections on their due time.