Press Digest for Wednesday October 22, 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: Contacts ongoing over extension of the parliament's term

Speaker Nabih Berri told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Wednesday that contacts are ongoing over the extension of the parliament's mandate.

Berri added that Patriarch Bechara Rai and the Free Patriotic Movement are rejecting the extension of the parliament's term.

Investigators determine ten main suspects in Maj. Gen. al-Hassan's assassination-sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday that progress is being made in the investigations into Internal Security Forces Information Branch chief Wissam al-Hassan's assassination.

The same sources added that the investigations still need more evidence and proof "to match the political accusation."

According to the daily, the investigators were able to determine ten main suspects who appeared in the footage of the surveillance cameras.

Defense Minister Moqbel kicks off discussions over Iranian military grant-sources

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel is holding contacts with different political factions over the Iranian grant to the Lebanese army.

The same sources noted that the grant will not be tackled during Thursday's cabinet session.

According to the daily, the US administration strongly opposes the Iranian military aid, adding that the acceptance of such a donation would halt US aid to the army.

Bishop Mazloum: Presidential race reached a deadlock

Bishop Samir Mazloum told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the presidential race reached a deadlock, adding that the Maronite leaders failed to reach a breakthrough in order to elect a new president.

He also noted that contacts between the Maronite committee tasked with discussing the presidential elections and Bkerke are cut.