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.
According to exclusive information made available to
Al-Joumhouria daily, Syria called on the Lebanese government not to send
Lebanese monitors to its territory on the grounds that the matter will cause
embarrassment to Syria since its forces were deployed on Lebanese territory for
30 years, be it through the Arab Deterrent Force or its own troops.
However, Lebanese ministerial sources confirmed to the daily
that the decision to not send Lebanese monitors is solely related to the
“self-distancing policy” adopted by the government regarding the Syrian crisis,
adding that its participation [in the monitoring mission] would have implied
its participation in forthcoming
decisions and measures.
An-Nahar daily ruled out on Wednesday that the wages issue
will be tabled during the cabinet session scheduled to take place on Wednesday
at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of PM Najib Mikati.
The daily added that the wages issue will not be tabled, not
even as an off-agenda item, awaiting the upcoming session at Baabda that will
be headed by President Michel Sleiman.
In this context, GLC Head Ghassan Ghosn said that the
confederation saw in the Shura Council’s decision to reject the wage-related
decree an opportunity to revive the agreement signed with the economic bodies.
Ghosn confirmed in a statement to An-Nahar, As-Safir and
Al-Mustaqbal dailies that the confederation will proceed with this agreement
since its main goal lies in activating the economic cycle in the country and
taking into account the interest of workers and employees, urging the cabinet
to approve this agreement during today’s session.
In turn, Head of the Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
Chamber in Lebanon Muhammad Chukeir described the Shura Council’s verdict as
the optimal decision in the interest of the economic sector and investment in
the country.
Chukeir
voiced hope that the agreement signed with the GLC be approved and implemented
soon in order to “give relief to workers and private sector after roughly 3
months of confusion and reluctance.”
The head of the Beirut Traders Association Nicolas Chammas,
in turn, described the Shura Council’s verdict as “historic”, adding that its
decision is a “defeat to politics and victory to the principle of free
contract.”
An-Nahar daily learned on Wednesday from UNIFIL sources that
the international forces have not yet received any official notification after
Israel revealed intention to replace the wire along the border with a concrete
barrier.
In turn, military sources told An-Nahar that the border city
of Kfarkala would often see verbal bouts between the LAF and Israeli troops
that would sometimes turn into armed clashes.
The sources added that the Israelis have finally pondered the
idea of lengthening the existing wall to approximately 2 km long.
The sources confirmed that the LAF would not oppose this move
given that the wall would be established on the Israeli side and would
presumably deter potential verbal and military clashes between both troops.
According to the provided information, the idea of extending
the wall across the common border has not yet been tabled. Should the Israelis
table the issue it will require examination and follow-up since the exact
delineation is under dispute.
In a statement to Al-Liwaa daily, sources following up on the
case of Imam Musa Sadr and his companions reproached officials in the executive
body in Lebanon, notably President Michel Sleiman and PM Najib Mikati, for not
paying a visit to Libya that would include a single item on the agenda, which
is the case of Sadr and companions.
The sources voiced surprise over the way the issue has been
dealt with given that the cabinet decided last August to follow up on the case;
however, the initiative was limited to a single visit paid by Foreign Minister
Adnan Mansour.
The sources explained that Sadr’s family was not asked to
undergo a DNA test, adding that Director General of the Ministry of Expatriates
Hasan Shami refused visit morgues during their visit to Libya.
An-Nahar daily reported on Wednesday that March 8 figures
addressed letters to the Change and Reform bloc on Tuesday asking it to deal
positively with the Shura Council’s verdict under the title of “preserving the
interests of workers and employees.”
The daily added that the sources received positive responses.
According to information made available to the daily, among
the messages included in the correspondences was that the wage raise issue
“does not involve one-upmanship.”