Press Digest for Thursday July 10, 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.

Allouch: Tripoli is not home to al-Qaeda, ‘Islamic State’ militants

Former Future Movement MP Mustafa Allouch stressed on Thursday that Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli is not home to al-Qaeda or the militant Islamic State.

In an interview with Al-Joumhouria newspaper, Allouch said the Lebanese state should expedite the trial of detainees, noting that it is the only way to protect Tripoli and the whole country from chaos.

“Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could take advantage of havoc during the current circumstances,” Allouh said, adding that “the state is not fulfilling its duties so far”.

Sheikh Rahim says promises to release Tripoli militant chiefs were not met

Sheikh Nabil Rahim, a member of the Association of Muslim Scholars, said on Thursday that the families of Tripoli militant chiefs are holding protests after promises to release the militants were not met.

“The militant chiefs had turned themselves to the security apparatuses under the condition that they be released within two months, but this did not happen. Detainees from Jabal Mohsen were freed instead,” Rahim said.

Sheikh Rahim also told An-Nahar daily that the threats that were launched by Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Emir of Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Malek al-Chami are not linked to the families’ protests in Tripoli.

Bkerke prioritizes the election of a new president- sources

Sources close to Bkerke told Al-Joumhouria daily on Thursday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rai has voiced his refusal to holding the upcoming parliamentary elections amid the current power vacuum.

Bkerke prioritizes the election of a new head of state, the same sources said, adding that other constitutional entitlements could be held afterwards.

LAF, UNIFIL monitor Israeli movements along the border- sources

Sources close to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces denied claims that armed groups are being active in southern areas.

The same sources also told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the military and the UNIFIL are monitoring Israeli movements which “do not seem to undermine peace and calm” in the South and along the border.