Press Digest for Sunday January 18, 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.

• Hezbollah tightens its measures in South Beirut - Sources

Sources reported to the Kuwaiti newspaper As-Seyassah that Hezbollah is tightening its measures in South Beirut’s Dahiyeh region.

In this regard, the sources noted that the party had set up checkpoints, adding that its members are checking all vehicles and identities of all by passers for fears of any suicide attack by Al-Nusra Front or the Islamic State.

• MP Aoun to attend meeting between LF and FPM representatives – Sources

Lebanese Forces sources reported to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that a new meeting will be held this week between representatives of the LF and the Free Patriotic Movement.

In this regard, the sources noted that LF spokesman Melhem Riachi and MP Ibrahim Kanaan will meet in the presence of MP Michel Aoun.

The sources also added that attorneys of both parties will convene in the upcoming week in a bid to drop lawsuits raised between the LF and FPM.

• Relatives of Islamist inmates have the right to visit them - Minister

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq stated on Sunday that Islamist inmates at the Roumieh penitentiary will be brought back to ‘Bloc B’ of the prison after rehabilitating it, denying via Al-Hayat newspaper that any of them was injured or exposed to any harm by members of the security forces.

Minister Mashnouq noted that relatives of these inmates have the right to visit them and security forces are providing them with all their necessary needs.

“These inmates will be taken back to Bloc B after a rehabilitation process that will be launched this Monday,” the minister said.