Press Digest for Thursday March 21, 2013

       
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.

• Social Affairs Minister: We will tackle the extended mandate of security apparatuses’ leaders       

Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour told An-Nahar Daily that he will tackle the extended mandate of the leaders of security apparatuses in the cabinet session today since it is crucial to the country’s security.      

This comes as the mandate of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) Major General Ashraf Rifi as well as Army Commander General Jean Kahwaji are drawing to an end and should be extended in order to "protect the Internal Security Forces, and the ISF Information Branch which is still facing threats," the Daily reported.        

• Agreement between Speaker Berri and PM Mikati puzzles UCC      

As-Safir Newspaper reported that Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati agreed on inserting the file of the ranks and salaries series to the agenda of the cabinet session expected to be held on Thursday at the Baabda Palace, promising to refer the file to Parliament.      

Sources told the Daily that Speaker Berri asked the Union Coordination Committee (UCC) to shift the sit-in from the Presidential Palace toward Public organizations and to await the cabinet's decision.          

• MP Jumblatt: There is no agreement between the PSP and the Future bloc        

The Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir Daily that there is no agreement between the the PSP and the Future bloc, noting that many outstanding issues await settlement.        

When asked about the upcoming parliamentary elections 'which could be deferred', MP Jumblatt said that he will await the results of deliberations held at Rome.           

• March 8 coalition reiterates its refusal of the Elections Supervisory Committee        

Sources told al-Mustaqbal Daily that March 8 Ministers held a meeting on Wednesday whereby they confirmed that they are adamant on refusing the adoption of the Elections Supervisory Committee.        

In this context, sources also reported that the Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil will visit President Michel Sleiman before the cabinet session in order to brief him on the aforementioned Ministers’ refusal to adopt the committee.