Press Digest for Monday July 14, 2014

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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.

Justice Minister Rifi says attempts to destabilize Tripoli were thwarted

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi said the current presidential vacuum has paralyzed the Lebanese parliament and disrupted the work of the cabinet.

In an interview with the Kuwait-based Al-Seyassah daily, Rifi noted that Prime Minister Tammam Salam has eased tensions through his wisdom and experience, and said: "Undoubtedly, there are repercussions for the power vacuum which could only be addressed by the swift election of a new president".

On another note, Rifi said he was reassured about the situation in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli, adding that attempts to destabilize the area were thwarted.

Speaker Berri: I refuse attempts to disrupt the cabinet's work

Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that he obviously supports the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinian cause, voicing his rejection to rocket attacks launched from Lebanon's southern region.

"Launching indiscriminate rocket attacks from the South does not serve the battle against Israel but is an attempt to 'implicate' Lebanon," Berri said.

Asked about the government's work which has been disrupted by differences among its components, Berri said he rejects attempts to obstruct the cabinet, noting that he will do his utmost to revive the government's work.

Education Minister Bou Saab holds contacts over LU dossier

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed on Monday that he is holding contacts with Health Minister Wael Abou Faour and Economy Minister Alain Hakim in order to reach an agreement over the appointment of deans at the Lebanese University.

"If there is a will, this file could be settled in the next few days but if there was a political decision to disrupt the cabinet, the issue will be complicated," Bou Saab told As-Safir daily.

In this regard, the minister said he has complete trust in Prime Minister Tammam Salam who is known to be "a wise man with a sense of patriotism".

LF leader Geagea calls for arrest of man who fired rocket towards Israel

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called on Monday for the arrest of Hussein Atwi who launched a rocket from the South towards Israel since "no one should allow himself to put a security or military strategy involving all the Lebanese people".

In an interview with Al-Mustaqbal newspaper, Geagea said the Lebanese cabinet should take a quick decision to remove extra-state weapons, noting that the state should be the sole decision-maker on the political and military levels.