Press Digest for Sunday December 16, 2012

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.

• PM Mikati holds meeting on Monday at Grand Serail                

Sources said to An-Nahar newspaper that a meeting will be held on Monday between PM Najib Mikati and a delegation of donor countries for the displaced Syrians at the Grand Serail.       


The meeting will be held seemingly since more than half a million Syrian refugees have now been registered or are awaiting registration in neighboring countries.                               

According to An-Nahar, donor countries will inform Lebanon about their response to the plan discussed in the previous meeting.                      

• Minister Qortbawi: Judicial appointments are soon                       

Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said that the Supreme Judicial Council promised to conduct comprehensive judicial appointments pointing out that they will be based on specific criteria such as capability and productivity, judicial provisions of the disciplinary board, and not keeping same judges in the same office for years.             


Qortbawi said to An-Nahar that he called on judges as well as the Judicial Council and the Office of State Consultative Council to work together in order to raise the level of the judicial authorities and added that he does not sign on any new appointments if he is not convinced.