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.
Former PM
Omar Karami described the ministerial situation as “abnormal”, adding that the
cabinet is coming under internal attack, rather than attack by the opposition,
“which does not ensure an appropriate environment for work, productivity and settlement
of issues.”
In a
statement to An-Nahar daily, Karami voiced fears over external attempts to
revive confessional and sectarian divisions in the region.
He also
called on leaders and concerned authorities to double their efforts in order to
protect the Lebanese community against repercussions of regional events, the Syrian
in particular.
“The phase
cannot withstand narrow disputes”, he stressed.
GLC Head
Ghassan Ghosn revealed to
Al-Joumhouria daily that he brought up with PM Najib
Mikati, during his Wednesday visit to the Grand Serail, the issue of Labor
Minister Charbel Nahhas’ abstention from signing the transportation decree.
Ghosn called
for putting an end to the “recalcitrance” shown by Nahhas.
Ghosn
questioned the role of the current cabinet given that “it is unable to compel a
minister to respect its decisions.”
STL
spokesman Martin Youssef announced that STL Public Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare
has the right to secretly present the pre-trial judge Daniel Fransen with a
confidential indictment decision.
Youssef
explained to
An-Nahar daily that submitting a new indictment decision to
Fransen does not imply its ratification since it should be first reviewed by
Fransen who will endorse it or reject it, whether partially or fully.
Asked about
the presence of a fifth accused in the Hariri case along with the four others,
Youssef said “in the event that a new indictment decision is presented and included
new accusations, these procedures will rest only with the public prosecutor.”
- Could
Aoun engage in historical reconciliation with Tripoli?
Sources from
Tripoli told
As-Safir that the recent tensed positions adopted by Change and
Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun is starting to draw hostility in Tripoli,
adding that even Aoun’s closest allies are now embarrassed to defend him.
The sources
reproached Aoun for weakening the position of “loyalist”, whether intentionally
or unintentionally, in the Lebanese public, and for paving the way for the new
opposition to score points and create an adequate atmosphere for attacking the
cabinet.
The sources
added that Aoun should not forget his partners in power and should take into
account their own affiliation and aspirations which do not match at all with
his current bids.
“Could Aoun
review his calculations and engage in a historical reconciliation with
Tripoli?” the sources wondered.