Press Digest for Sunday January 29, 2011

• Charbel: No political motives behind Shabtini’s theft incident

Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel told An-Nahar newspaper that Judge Alice Shabtini’s theft incident on Saturday night had no political background, adding that the media and TV stations have exaggerated the incident.

NNA mentioned on Saturday night that Shabtini’s laptop has been stolen in addition to $10 thousand.

• Bellemare to issue a second indictment in February

Al-Hayat newspaper revealed that the General Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Daniel Bellemare has left Beirut after a short visit, leaving behind him positive atmospheres regarding the investigation on the assassination of former PM Rafic Hariri.

The newspaper mentioned that it is possible the Bellemare will issue a second indictment before resigning from his current post during the last week of February in order to support the first indictment accusing four member of Hezbollah.

The second indictment will create a link between Hariri’s assassination, former Defense Minister Elias el-Mur assassination attempt, former minister Marwan Hamadeh and the assassination of the head of the Communist Party in Lebanon Georges Hawi.

• Hezbollah in Ersal to abduct Free Syrian Army members

Officials from the Free Syrian Army told as-Siyasa Kuwaiti newspaper that Hezbollah members and militants are trying to infiltrate from Syria into Ersal in North Lebanon to arrest weapon smugglers at the borders as well as members from the FSA.

Witnesses told the newspaper that dozens SUVs carrying members from Hezbollah tried to infiltrate into Ersal when the residents of the town opened fire on the SUVs forcing them to retreat.

• Syrian Army perusing military operation in Hama

Al-Watan Syrian newspaper revealed that the concerned authorities are perusing their military operation against armed groups in Hama’s hotspot who are targeting the Syrian Army and terrorizing Hama residents.
Military sources told the newspaper that the authorities are now controlling Hama and arresting a large number of defectors.