Press Digest for Thursday July 03, 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.

• Minister Mashnouq hails financial assistance offered by ABL

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq hailed on Thursday the financial assistance offered by the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) to the Roumieh prison, stating that the achievements of Lebanese banks will eventually lead to the success of Lebanon at various levels.

In this regard, Minister Mashnouq told An-Nahar newspaper that contributions to resolve the issue of prisons in Lebanon are considered a means of confronting terrorism and facing attacks targeting the country.

• Defense Minister says security apparatuses ready to face acts of terrorism

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel stated on Thursday that security apparatuses are ready to confront all acts of terrorism, pointing out that the security meeting which was held yesterday (Wednesday) at the Grand Serail tackled the latest security incidents as well as the country’s current situation.

In this regard, Minister Moqbel called via Al-Liwaa newspaper on all Lebanese factions to cooperate in order to maintain the country’s stability; however, mentioned that acts of terrorism may not be fully controlled in any country.

• Lebanese officials were not able to take a decision on issue of Syrian refugees - Minister

Social affairs Minister Rashid Derbass stated on Thursday that Lebanese authorities were not informed about refugee camps that are being built in Akkar for the Syrians, pointing out that all Lebanese officials are against building these camps.

Derbass told Al-Liwaa newspaper that the Lebanese cabinet was not able to take a decision on the presence of Syrians in Lebanon due to the divisions among Lebanese factions.

In this regard, Minister Derbass stated that March 8 forces voiced their rejection to any decision that aims at building camps for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

• MP Houri says Lebanese officials should respect all constitutional entitlements

Future Bloc MP Ammar Houri stated on Thursday that the presidential elections are the country’s first priority at the current time; however, stressed that Lebanese officials should also respect all other entitlements mainly the parliamentary elections.

Houri told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that officials should no longer accept void at the presidential level, adding that efforts are being exerted to elect a new president at the soonest time possible.