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 Nabih Berri said that the issue of the presidential elections topped the talks held with the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt in a bid to reach an agreement over a new president.
In a statement to
as-Safir daily, Berri said that he has not yet tackled the issue of the extension of the Parliament’s term with any political party, noting that this matter is “out of discussion and not even an option.”
In this regard, the speaker pointed out that he is currently focusing his meetings on resolving the presidential issue, not the parliamentary one, stressing the need to end the current vacuum.
He added that he agreed with Jumblatt to continue holding meetings in order to finalize the issue of the series of ranks and salaries, hoping to reach a formula that satisfies all the parties.
The head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt stressed the need to guarantee sustainable sources to fund the pay scale, calling on the concerned parties to take into consideration the volatile political situation and its impact on the economy.
On another note, Jumblatt told
as-Safir newspaper, that the Islamic State militants have arrived to the Lebanese borders, stressing that utmost vigilance is required from the authorities.
"Realizing that the Islamic State’s ideology has arrived to our border is enough for us to feel the danger," Jumblatt pointed out, adding that the speed by which this terrorist organization has expanded threatens the country's security.
Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi declared that he called on the index committee to hold a meeting on the fifth of August, noting that the importance of this committee does not only lie in determining the cost of living rate and raising the wages, but it also discusses a wide range of trade union and social demands.
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria daily, Azzi noted that by taking into consideration the decisions and figures of the index committee, the state can avoid several social crises and protests.
“However, the role of the index committee in Lebanon is not well organized, despite the efforts deployed by several former ministers,” he said, adding that the Lebanese political and sectarian divisions, as well as the current economic and security situations are preventing the committee from holding regular meetings.
In the same context, the minister said that passing an annual wage increase is not a choice or an opinion but one of the state’s main obligations, pointing out that the index committee cannot take final decisions in this regard, but it submits its studies and results to the cabinet in order to make the appropriate decision.
Commenting on the demand presented by the Head of the General Workers Union Ghassan Ghosn to raise the wages by 38%, Azzi said that “the General Workers Union can call for the increase rate it deems rightful; but on the other hand, the economic bodies have the right to refuse.”
“The figures are under discussion, but the final decision will be issued by the cabinet,” he concluded.
Sources from March 14’s Christian parties stressed that "the Lebanese Forces is threatening its allies, by stressing that it will not allow any extension for the Parliament's mandate before electing a new president."
In this regard, the sources told
al-Akhbar daily that the Lebanese Forces will not ensure quorum for a session that has the extension of the Parliament’s term on its agenda, adding that the party will keep on exerting pressure until an agreement over holding an electoral session is reached.