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.
Speaker Nabih Berri stressed
that the security situation in the country is at stake, adding that the Supreme
Defense Council and the cabinet took well-advised decisions.
In this regard, Berri said
that the security subcommittees are expected to hold meetings, pointing out
that it will be good to implement these decisions warning that failing to do so will take a toll on the State and government.
Speaker Berri told
Al
Joumhouria Daily that abductions are underway, adding that insults are
undermining the judiciary, the Lebanese Army and the security forces.
According to
An-Nahar Newspaper, the military and security apparatuses implemented airtight measures in Sidon and Abra as of Thursday, in anticipation of Sheikh Ahmad Assir's sit-in expected to take place following the Friday prayers outside the alleged "Hezbollah apartments" near his the Bilal bin Rabbah mosque.
In this context, sources told
Al-Liwaa Daily that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on his supporters to remain in Sidon, following the statement delivered by Assir who called for a demonstration.
It is noteworthy that Salafist and Islamist forces including the Islamist national Palestinian forces telephoned Hezbollah, Sheikh Assir and other factions in order to create a buffer zone near Hezbollah apartments in a bid to avoid havoc.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed that continuous political wrangling among all parties would upper the ante "indefinitely", warning that all parties would be held accountable.
In addition, Marwan Charbel told
Acharq al Awsat Daily that the lack of political agreement takes undoubtedly its toll on the security, economic and social situation in the country, adding that the political agreement among parties alongside the tireless efforts exerted by the security forces on the ground are the sole solution.
"All the political parties should reach common grounds to spare the country the repercussions of their disputes and a Lebanese comprehensive policy should be adopted," Charbel said.
Hezbollah's Minister of State for Administrative Reform Mohammad Fneish stressed that a new approach in regards to the series of ranks and salaries was put forth, adding that different standpoints were discussed but the issue is still unsettled.
In this regard, Fneish told
Al Joumhouria Daily that previous funding proposals should be adopted by the cabinet, pointing out that there is no need to discuss new proposals in the Ministerial Committee since it will defer the referral of the series' file and cause more damage in terms of the economy and the students' interests.
"We should reach a settlement by discussing the issue seriously and taking wise decisions, regardless of the pressures imposed by many parties," Fneish added.