Press Digest for Monday January 05, 2015

4^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.

Hezbollah-Future dialogue session to go into details- source

A senior source in the Future Movement said a second dialogue session with the Shi’ite group Hezbollah is due to be held today in Ain El-Tineh in the absence of Speaker Nabih Berri but in the presence of his aid, minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

“The attendees will go into details after the first dialogue session touched on general issues,” the source told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Monday.

“Details to be tackled include topics that have been put on the dialogue table's agenda, more specifically issues related to easing sectarian tension in the country,” the same source concluded.

Preparations made for a meeting between LF chief Geagea, FPM leader Aoun- sources

Well-informed sources told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that preparations are being made for a meeting between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun.

“The main goal of the Aoun-Geagea meeting is to reach a positive outcome,” the sources noted, saying “some pending issues will be discussed during this week”.

“A serious approach to dialogue is being rolled out by the Lebanese Forces party and the Free Patriotic Movement,” the same sources added.

Derbass says Lebanon’s decision to impose visa on Syrians valid as of today

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass said a decision whereby Syrian nationals will be required a visa for entry into Lebanon is part of the decisions that have been taken by the Lebanese government to ease the influx of Syrian refugees.

“The decision doesn’t imply the deportation of Syrians in Lebanon,” Derbass told Al-Liwaa daily, noting that it will be enforced as of today (January 05).

“The decision will allow the Lebanese authorities to differentiate between refugees and non-refugees,” he added.

Military source says Flita battle will not affect Lebanon’s Arsal

A senior military source told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the current battle opposing the Nusra Front to the Syrian army and Hezbollah in the Syrian town of Flita will not affect the Lebanese border town of Arsal for several reasons.

“Clashes have been ongoing in Syria’s Qalamoun and the town of Flita is geographically distant from positions in Arsal where the Lebanese army is deployed,” the source explained.

It added that the army has implemented tight security measures to prevent any attempt by gunmen to infiltrate into the Lebanese territories.