Press Digest for Friday October 03, 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.

• Berri says extension of the Parliament’s mandate not yet finalized

Speaker Nabih Berri declared that when he decided to resend the pay scale to the parliamentary committees for revision, he took into consideration the objection of the military institution not the call of the economic bodies.

In a statement to as-Safir daily, Berri said that another legislative session will be held at the end of the month, in order to finalize urgent matters, pointing out that the issue of the extension of the Parliament’s mandate has not yet been discussed in a serious manner and a decision has not yet been issued.

“We have two proposals at hand, one presented by the Lebanese Forces concerning the correction of the deadlines included in the electoral law, while the other is presented by MP Nicolas Fattoush regarding the extension of the parliament’s mandate,” Berri explained, noting that these proposals can be tackled together.

• Kahwagi vows to protect rights of military personnel as long as he is in power

The Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi expressed his dissatisfaction towards the attempts to undermine the rights of military men, especially the retirees, martyrs and their families; in reference to the content of the pay scale.

“The terrorists are murdering the soldiers in Arsal, while the politicians are murdering the soldiers in their lives and living conditions,” he stated.

In a statement to as-Safir newspaper, Kahwagi vowed to protect the rights of military men as long as he is commander in chief.

• German ambassador raises concern over threat posed by terrorism to Europe

German Ambassador to Beirut Christian Clages raised concern over the threat posed by terrorism and extremism, not only to the region, but also to Europe, stressing that the rate of violence and violations against human rights have increased remarkably.

The ambassador told an-Nahar daily that the European people are concerned over the situation, since the Middle East and Europe are neighbors and have a common sea, which is the Mediterranean Sea.

In this regard, Clages urged the international bodies to find solutions to the current dangers, mainly the foreign fighters heading toward Syria and Iraq to take part in terrorist acts, pointing out that the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed resolution number 2178, which criminalizes traveling to foreign countries to take part in fighting.