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.
Al Joumhouria Daily’s reporter to Washington Jad Youssef said that according to on an official at the US Department of Defense, the Qaeda affiliated group “Jibhat Al-Nusra” in Syria has become a threat to the whole region.
The official added that the Jordanian Intelligence has previously warned of the threats this terrorist organization represents, stressing that there are suicide bombers among the "Nusra’s" militants in Lebanon.
In an interview with
Al Akhbar Daily, FPM leader MP Michel Aoun said that the electoral draft law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering is the only solution for the electoral crisis because it allows all sects to be represented in the parliament.
Aoun added that the rights of the Christians in Lebanon are violated, stressing that this proposal is constitutional.
Aoun then addressed President Michel Sleiman and told him “not to waste his time by appealing the Orthodox Gathering proposal since this draft law defines the electoral mechanism which is not related to the constitutional text.”
Commenting on LF Chief Samir Geagea’s accusations when he held the Free Patriotic Movement accountable for the “war against the Sunnites”, Aoun said that “perhaps Geagea is no longer satisfied with the alliances he has made and is now looking for a way out.”
“No one is persecuting the Sunnites. These allegations are meaningless and completely untrue," Aoun stated.
On the Arsal incident, Aoun urged the Lebanese Army to defend itself and said: “We want soldiers not scouts. An army that has been attacked does not wait for a decision issued by the cabinet or any other authority. The Army Command must immediately send a unit to enter Arsal and arrest the murderers,” he added.
On the Syrian crisis, Aoun considered that Lebanon has been involved in the Syrian war for quite some time after "a Lebanese political party participated in the ongoing battles in Syria against Syrian troops," stressing that some of Akkar, the North region and Arsal residents are helping Syrian rebels.
According to Aoun, the repercussions of the Syrian rebels’ failure are influencing Lebanon since "the regime is gaining ground against the militants."
Maronite Church sources reported to
As Safir Daily that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rai’s decision to participate in the inauguration of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Youhanna X Yazigi in Syria was "spontaneous and natural".
According to the sources, Rai expressed his willingness to attend the ceremony since the beginning and was clear about the purpose of his visit to Syria and his abstention from meeting President Bashar al-Assad.
The sources added that the Syrian officials were very cooperative and did not insist on holding a meeting between Rai and Assad, stressing that Rai would have abstained from visiting Syria had there been pressure to hold talks with the Syrian president since the Maronite Church in Lebanon is "fully aware of the critical situation in the neighboring country and does not want the visit to be considered as a support to the Syrian regime."
In this context, informed sources said the Vatican gave “its blessing” to Rai’s visit according to available information reporting that a settlement is expected to be completed in Syria in favor of Assad’s regime.
Sources reported to
Al Akhbar Daily that the Lebanese Forces party held a meeting earlier this week at Mehrab to vote for the Lebanese Forces candidate in the Kesserwan District who will be running in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to the sources, the party's coordinator in Kessewran, Shawki Daccache, was elected.
In this context, MP Michel El Murr told
Al Joumhouria Daily that he is ready to form an alliance with FPM Leader Michel Aoun and any other political party during the upcoming elections, expressing his willingness to form a “consensual list” in the Metn District.