Press Digest for Wednesday July 02, 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.

Speaker Nabih Berri says Aoun's suggestion cannot be implemented "at the time being" -sources

Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Wednesday that Speaker Nabih Beri is not pinning high hopes on electing a new president during today's election session.

Visitors of Berri quoted him as saying that he will hold meetings on the sidelines of the parliamentary session to find out how to deal with the presidential and parliamentary elections.

As for Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun's suggestion stating the amendment of the constitution to allow the Lebanese people to elect their president, Berri stressed that the suggestion "cannot be implemented at the time being."

Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouq: Lebanon's security situation is "under control"

Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouq told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the security situation in Lebanon "is under control", hailing the efforts of the security apparatuses in thwarting three suicide bombings.

He also noted that tight security measures are being taken in order to avert future terrorist attacks in the country.

On another note, sources told the daily that the Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Nayef phone called his Lebanese counterpart Machnouq and hailed his efforts in preserving Lebanon's security and thwarting terrorist attacks.

The same sources reported that both officials also tackled the latest local and regional developments.

Ministry of Interior is on top of a terrorist network's targets -sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday that the interrogations with the arrested terrorists revealed that the Lebanese Ministry of Interior was on top of a terrorist network's targets which also include the Internal Security Forces General Directorate and the General Security Directorate.

Similarly, security sources told the daily that the Lebanese security apparatuses obtained information stating that the Roumieh prison may be the target of a suicide bombing in an attempt to let inmates affiliated with the al-Nusra Front escape.

Patriarch Rai says MPs must elect a new president instead of suggesting initiatives - sources

Sources quoted the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai as saying on Wednesday that the Lebanese leaders must elect a new president "instead of suggesting initiatives", in reference to MP Michel Aoun's suggestion stating the amendment of the constitution to allow the people to directly elect their president.

The same sources told As-Safir newspaper that Rai's top priority is currently the election of a new head of state and putting an end to a presidential vacuum.