Press Digest for Saturday July 19, 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 Berri says will not allow violations of the law regarding the public employees' salaries

Speaker Nabih Berri told al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday that the salaries of the public employees will not be paid unless the parliament endorse a draft-law in this regard.

Berri also reiterated that he will not allow any violations of the Lebanese laws, adding that he will return the mechanisms used to pay the salaries to the "right track."

Terrorist attacks are being plotted against the Bekaa region-sources

Well informed sources told As-Safir newspaper on Saturday that the Lebanese security apparatuses obtained information stating that terrorist attacks are being plotted against the Bekaa region.

The same sources added that some 2000 fighters of the Syrian opposition will launch a military operation during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan targeting villages in the Bekaa region.

According to the daily, the attacks aim at fomenting sectarian strife inside the villages, as well as kidnapping dozens of people to exchange them with the Islamist inmates in the Roumieh prison.

The sources concluded by saying that the Lebanese Armed Forces and the General Security Directorate are on high alert, adding that they are taking tight security measures to prevent such threats.

Discussions over Lebanese University file failed-ministerial sources

Ministerial sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that the discussions over the Lebanese University file failed to reach a common ground in this regard.

The same sources added that disputes emerged between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party over the appointment of a dean for the Faculty of Medicine.

Ongoing battles in the Bekaa region aim at protecting the Resistance-sources

Sources told al-Anbaa newspaper on Saturday that Hezbollah fighters managed to control strategic hills and heights on the Lebanese-Syrian border during the ongoing battles with the Syrian opposition fighters.

The same sources added that the ongoing battles aim at protecting the Resistance in the Bekaa area, adding that the fighting also aims at reaching a final closure for the Qalamoun front that could possibly safeguard Lebanon from the danger of booby-trapped cars, suicidal bombers and rockets.

According to the daily, the sources voiced fears that the Syrian refugee camps in the area could turn into camps that harbor militants.