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
Nabih Berri told
An-Nahar that he was comfortable with the results of his
meeting with U.S. Special Middle East Peace Envoy's assistant, Frederick Hoff.
“The
atmosphere was positive…I confirmed to him Lebanon’s right to drill its
offshore wealth and to preserve it. I also confirmed to him that Lebanon’s
position is that we will not give up ‘any cup of oil’; it is our right and that
of our future generations.”
According to
information to An-Nahar, Hoff’s made a good impression on those who had met
with him adding that his position on the maritime border issue “contributes to
reaching a solution.”
The U.S.
embassy had earlier announced that Hoff encouraged Lebanon to reach a solution for
the maritime border issue as he voiced support for the development of oil and
gas reserves in the offshore fields in a way that boosts peace, stability and
prosperity.
- Tripoli
sources: Hariri wants Tripoli “a platform for the Syrian opposition”
Sources from
Tripoli voiced surprise over the remarks made by former PM Saad Hariri during
the March 14 ceremony.
The sources
told
As-Safir daily that Hariri seemed unconcerned with the recent Tripoli
events since he did not voice any position in support of Tripoli. “He merely
called for confronting each person distracting the city from supporting the
Syrian uprising,” the sources said adding that “this suggests that Hariri wants
Tripoli to devote itself to the support of his campaign against the Syrian regime
and to become a platform for the Syrian opposition.”
The sources
added that Hariri’s announcement that he bears full responsibility for siding
with the Syrian National Council and his confirmation that no strife will erupt
consequently have failed to ease the tense atmosphere or to convince anyone in
Tripoli.
- Red
diesel oil investigations point fingers at 5 GMs in oil facilities and Consumer
Protection
Official
sources revealed that the Audit Bureau has finished within two weeks only
inspections of the red diesel oil issue. The sources added that the Audit
Bureau's acting general prosecutor, Judge Bassam Wehbe ended investigations and
issued last Saturday his remarks in this regards.
Al-Liwaa
daily learned on Friday that there are approximately 5 persons involved in the
read diesel oil scandal, among which are senior officials in oil facilities in
Tripoli and Zahrani and in the Consumer Protection Department.
Sources
added that the media has exaggerated the relevant numbers since the amount of
money allocated for subsidies is worth 13 million LBP and the sum of money that
was subjected to investigation constitutes 25% to 30% of this amount.
In addition,
Parliament's Public Works and Transport Committee MP Mohmmad Qabbani told
Al-Liwaa that he is afraid that the responsibility will only be placed on junior
officials while senior ones will be provided cover. Qabbani also questioned the
responsibility of the ministry of energy in this case.
- Nahhas
ready to sign transportation allowance decree
The
parliament’s departments circulated on Wednesday the legislative session’s
agenda which comprises 18 items among which is the pressing draft law presented by Future MP Nabil De Freij, that
would authorize the cabinet to determine the daily transportation and school
allowance.
The
aforementioned draft law would legalize the transportation allowance and thus
overcoming the hindrance which lies in the non-signing of Labor Minister
Charbel Nahhas of the decree.
In this
context, sources close to Nahhas confirmed to
Al-Akhbar daily that the labor
minister will be ready to sign the decree if the parliament passes a law that
would authorize the cabinet to determine the allowance.