Press Digest for Tuesday March 13, 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.  

• Brax: We need raises too

President of the Gas Stations Syndicate Sami Brax told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Gas station owners benefit from 1500LBP for every 20 gas liters sold, adding that this amount was set when the gas tank cost 22800 LBP.

“The gas tank today is sold for 36900; I believe it is unacceptable not to raise the profit limit. It is our right to demand a 10% raise but we are still happy if we can agree on 7.5%”, Brax told Al-Joumhouria.

“The government should take immediate actions as we are facing a serious problem”.  

• Jeser: We are on good terms with the Mufti

Future Party MP Samir Jeser told al-Joumhouria that the committees established to discuss and renovate Dar al-Fatwa electoral law according to the article 18 of its internal constitution, adding that the Mufti and the Future Party share a healthy relationship.

Jeser added that several companies started a while ago discussing the needed reforms for Dar al-Fatwa, calling on all institutions and organizations to launch an internal process to start reforms.        

• Sleiman: We will not discuss the $11 Billion

Sources close to President Michel Sleiman revealed that the president is keen on immediately solving the $11 Billion issue.

The sources told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that President Sleiman believes that PM Najib Mikati will not discuss minister of finance Mohammad Safadi’s proposal to solve this issue during Wednesday’s cabinet session as long as hidden obstacles are still present.  

• Did Mustafa Tlas defect?

Sources close to the Syrian Regime told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the former Syrian Minister of Defense Mustafa Tlas did not defect but he is currently in Paris for a simple health checkup.

The sources revealed that Tlas was received at the airport by officers working at the Syrian embassy in Paris, adding that Tlas regularly visits Paris.