Press Digest for Sunday September 14, 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.

Makari says he will not run for parliamentary elections

An-Nahar newspaper quoted sources as saying that the Future bloc will declare the names of the candidates to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections, noting that the Future Movement will present a final list on Monday, awaiting the approval of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

In the same context, the daily pointed out that the members of the National struggle Front will all present their candidacies to the elections.

For his part, deputy Speaker Farid Makari told an-Nahar that he will not run for the elections, stressing that neither will any member of his family.

In this context, Makari confirmed that his decision does not mean that he is not committed to the Future Movement and March 14 forces, stressing that should the elections take place, he will be the first to support the coalition’ candidates in the district of Koura.

Soueid says will submit his candidacy on Monday

March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid revealed that he has prepared his documents to submit his official candidacy for the parliamentary elections on Monday.

In a statement to an-Nahar daily, Soueid confirmed that the elections will be delayed, pointing out that there is an agreement over this issue between head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun and Hezbollah.

Berri can be convinced of extending Parliament’s mandate – sources

Political sources told an-Nahar daily that Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been strongly rejecting the extension of the Parliament’s mandate, can be convinced otherwise.

The sources said that a comprehensive deal can be made to persuade Berri to reconsider his stances, in a bid to lead Lebanon towards a path allowing it to overcome the current difficult situation.