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.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi stressed that Iran will not stop supporting the
Syrian regime and will keep trusting it, noting that the explosion that took
place on Wednesday comes in the interest of the regime.
In an interview to As-Safir Daily, the Iranian
ambassador described the explosion as “a severe blow”, but it will “allow the
regime to exert pressure on the terrorists and to tighten its iron grip”.
Abadi ruled out the fact that the Free Syrian
Army is responsible for the explosion, pointing that it is the work of World
powers’ intelligence.
Sources close to March 14
told al-Akhbar newspaper that the Kataeb party is against the decision made by
March 14 to boycott the dialogue sessions, noting that March 14 must not play
the role of the disruptive.
The sources noted that
following the speech of head of “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc MP Mohammad
Raad on the defense strategy, and the speech of Hezbollah Secretary General
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Kataeb finds itself unable to participate in the
dialogue session.
Baabda Palace sources noted that the decision of March 14 to
boycott dialogue session requires a series of calls that President Michel
Sleiman will make in the coming hours, especially that March 14 linked its boycott
to the next dialogue session, not to the whole dialogue.
The sources told al-Joumhouria Daily that Sleiman will not
give up the dialogue, since no other alternative is available.
Reports added that the President is intending to postpone
the session expected to be held on Tuesday, until the issue is resolved.
Social Affairs Minister Wael
Abou Faour told An-Nahar Daily that the High Commission for Refugees gave the
statistics of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, noting that there are several families
who entered Lebanon walking from Damascus.
Abou Faour told the
newspaper that the High Relief Commission cannot afford to help the refugees,
pointing that High Commission for Refugees, the Danish Refugee Council, the
World Food Program, the International Committee of Red Cross and the Ministry
of Social Affairs are providing the refugees with assistance.
Abou Faour stated that after
holding several meetings with officials, Mikati gave his orders to the High
Relief Commission to provide the displaced with assistance by opening public schools
to lodge them.
Sources close to PM Najib
Mikati told al-Akhbar newspaper that the next crisis to take place in Lebanon will
be related to the Syrian refugees. The sources said that nobody was expecting
the military operation that targeted Damascus and led to the increase in the
number of refugees fleeing the Syrian territory that turned into a war scene
and come find shelter in Lebanon.