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.
In
a statement to
an-Nahar Daily, Sheikh Ahmad Assir, Imam of the Bilal Bin Rabah
Mosque in Sidon, announced the beginning of a “peaceful” open-ended sit-in to pressure
the state into taking practical measures to disarm Lebanese regions.
“If
security forces prevent us from staging this protest, we will confront them,
along with our wives and children, with our ‘bare chests’; and if they want to
kill us, [let it be] for we are being killed every day," he added.
Lebanese
sources revealed to
As-Safir Daily that National Struggle Front leader, MP
Walid Jumblatt, does not seem satisfied with the step taken by his ally, former
PM Saad Hariri, who submitted the name of Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea,
for the 2014 presidential elections.
According
to the sources, Jumblatt was sad “to the bone” when he read that Geagea “has already
worn the presidential suit” and stands ready for this outcome even if it requires a vote of half-plus-one.
The sources confirmed to the Daily that Geagea’s
candidacy is a very serious move, highlighting a US-Saudi-Qatari plan aiming at
electing a Christian president in 2014 by a vote of half-plus-one.
The sources added that, as part of the plan, roles
are being distributed between the Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces, adding
that Hariri calls for adhering to the 1960 law while Geagea calls for changing
it and securing a parliamentary majority without the need for an
alliance with Jumblatt.
An-Nahar
reported that the U.S. Treasury Department dealt a blow to Hezbollah’s
activities and operations in South America, imposing a series of sanctions on
four Lebanese men suspected of money laundry, drug trafficking and the transfer of illegal
revenues to Hezbollah via Lebanese banks.
Al-Liwaa
daily reported that the kidnappers of Lebanese hostages are demanding a huge
ransom that would allow them to purchase qualitative weapons to confront the
pro-government army.
The
daily added that the kidnappers suggested to the mediators a prisoner swap that
would secure the release of the founder of the Free Syrian Army, Hussein
Harmoush.
In turn, mediators suggested that the hostages be
released in two batches: the 9 abductees that have no links to Hezbollah will be
freed first while the three others will be later released following intensified efforts.
Interior
Minister Marwan Charbel told
al-Joumhouria daily that “the state either exists
or it does not; security is either present or is not”.
“Today
is a new day. We sympathized with them before and acted wisely; and at certain
times, we knew their demands are legitimate. But now the situation has spun out of
control […] enough is enough”, he added.