Press Digest for Thursday March 1, 2012

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.          

• Microwave devices installed on cell phones networks

Sources close to one of the two network servicing companies in Lebanon told Al-Akhbar newspaper that the Internal Security Intelligence Services have installed microwave tracking devices on several networking outpost to track down important calls.

The sources added that these devices were installed in cooperation with the Ministry of Telecommunication.

“These devices will help us in our delicate work; it will also provide a networking hub between all Intelligence Services bases in Beirut and its suburbs to facilitate communication and cooperation”, a security source was quoted as saying.  

• Mikati to receive new indictment from STL

According to Al-Joumhouria newspaper PM Najib Mikati will receive today a new indictment issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on to the crimes related to the assassination of the former PM Rafik Hariri.

The indictment will give further information on the assassination attempts against former Minister of Defense Elias el Murr, MP Marwan Hmedeh and the assassination of the former head of the Communist Party in Lebanon George Hawi.    

• Spain withdraws its helicopters from the UNIFIL

Sources close to the Spanish Minister of Defense told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the Ministry will withdraw its helicopters from the UNIFIL forces working in South Lebanon during the first week of March.  

The sources added that the reasons behind this step are still not clear but revealed that Spain might have taken such a decision for economic reasons and not issues related to security measures.      

• Muslim Brotherhood launches new activities in Bekaa

Al-Akhbar newspaper revealed that the Muslim Brotherhood Party in Bekaa has resumed its political activism and is working to open communication channels with political parties for the first time in the region.

Sources told Al-Akhbar that the Brotherhood organized a series of meetings in Zahle and met for the first time with former MP Elias Skaf, adding that they will soon meet with Catholic archbishop of Zahle Issam Darwish as well as independent political and social figures.

The sources added that the Muslim Brotherhood will try to present its own point of view and stances towards the latest developments in the region and Syria.