Press Digest for Sunday April 14, 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.

• Higher Islamic Council elections set for today                        

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that the elections of members of the Higher Islamic Council will take place on their due time in Beirut and throughout Lebanon.                  

Sources revealed that the Future bloc is exerting efforts to not provide quorum in the elections' session.                         

• 1200 Hezbollah fighters entered Syria by sea            

Sources revealed to Al Watan newspaper on Sunday that some 1200 fighters from Hezbollah entered the Syrian territory during the last few days.              

Same sources asserted that the fighters were able to reach Syria through the Mediterranean Sea.                   
According to the Daily, fighters from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan also entered Syria in order to help the Syrian regime fighting the rebels.                    

• MP Jumblatt's bloc to challenge candidacies suspension decree                       

Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour revealed to An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that MPs of the National Struggle Front are set to challenge the decree suspending the candidacies for June parliamentary elections.                 

Caretaker Minister Abou Faour added that the suspension decree embeds a challenge for the entire parliamentary elections, stressing that it also includes major constitutional violations.              

• PM designate Salam meets with March 8 alliance                             

Sources revealed to An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that Prime Minister designate Tammam Salam held a meeting with March 8 alliance in his residence in  Msaytbeh which was kept under wraps.                                     
Same sources added that the meeting was positive and tackled the formation of the new government.                       
According to the Daily, PM designate Salam asserted that the names deliberated in the media outlets as ministers in the new government are not "accurate".