Press Digest for Saturday July 25, 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.

• Salam on Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria: there is a gap between a stance and reality

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed that the security situation is currently stable in Lebanon, hoping that the security forces will be able to put an end to all irregularities, mainly the kidnapping wave in northern Bekaa, which constitutes a real challenge to the security plan implemented in the region.

“This phenomenon must be radically eradicated through cooperation between the political powers and the security and military forces,” he explained.

Commenting on Hezbollah’s intervention in the Syrian conflict and its repercussions, Salam told al-Joumhouria newspaper that the cabinet declared in its ministerial statement the need to disassociate Lebanon from the events taking place in Syria, noting that there is a gap between a stance and reality.

On another note, Salam expressed relief regarding the outcome of the last cabinet session, pointing out that the government will keep on assuming its responsibilities in dealing with the urgent and important issues by reaching agreement.

“The political parties must reach an agreement in order to hold the elections according to a new electoral law, but should they decide to hold them based on the current law, we will do so,” he stated.

• New formula of pay scale to be issued after Eid al-Fitr – sources

An-Nahar daily reported that discussions are underway in order to draft a new formula for the series of ranks and salaries that can receive the acceptance of the various political parties, adding that the new version is expected to be issued after Eid al-Fitr holiday.

In this regard, ministerial sources told the daily that contacts are underway in order to reach common grounds between the parliamentary blocs and the Union Coordinating Committee, which is taking into consideration the need to deal with the issue of the revenues required to cover the expenses of the pay scale.        

• Abou Faour: Discussions underway to extend Parliament’s mandate

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour revealed that discussions are underway in order to extend the term of the Parliament, noting that the Progressive Socialist Party supports holding the constitutional procedures according to their official deadlines.

“It is clear that the parliamentary elections are not likely to be held on time, this is why the parliament’s term extension has been placed back on the table,” the minister told an-Nahar daily.