Press Digest for Wednesday March 27, 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.         
                

• Speaker Berri: I will call for a general parliamentary session on April 5                    

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that his stance is harmonious with that of the National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt regarding reaching consensus over the appointment of a prime minister-designate who would form a new Cabinet.                           

Berri noted that he will call for a general Parliamentary session on April 5th to discuss several items, mainly the annulment of the 1960 electoral law.                             

According to the Daily, Berri pointed out  that should President Michel Sleiman  call for a national dialogue session, he would be the first one to participate.                    

• Caretaker PM Mikati: Binding consultations to kick off next Tuesday                     

Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati revealed to As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that a binding parliamentary consultations to name the prime minister-designate to form a new cabinet will kick off next Tuesday.                    

According to the Daily, Caretaker PM Mikati asserted that he remains a candidate for the Prime Ministry, noting that if designated, he will not preside a one sided government.                        

• Syria expresses discontent over Lebanon's stance at Doha Summit                      

Arab diplomatic sources revealed to As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the UN, Jeffrey Feltman oversaw Qatar's dealing with the Syrian crisis at the Doha summit.                          

Sources added that Syria's delegation expressed its discontent with Lebanon's dissociation policy regarding Syria.                         

• Sheikh Assir denies visit to Qatar                 

Imam of the Bilal bin Rabah mosque Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir denied to al-Liwaa newspaper on Wednesday news mentioned  in Lebanese media outlets about a trip to Qatar.  
                
Sheikh al-Assir noted that efforts are being exerted in the case of the Lebanese abductees in Nigeria, adding that he is cooperating with the Partisans of Islam (Ansar al-Islam) in order to release the hostages.                               

• US warns LAF Commander and Speaker Berri against possible assassination attempts                       

Sources revealed to Al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday that US, Western and Arab security apparatuses warned Lebanese Army Commander Jean Kahwagi and Speaker Nabih Berri against possible future assassinations.                                

Sources added that these security apparatuses submitted to the Lebanese concerned security authorities significant information and details over the possible assassinations of Speaker Nabih Berri and LAF Commander Kahwagi.