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.
An-Nahar
daily learnt from well-informed sources that PM Najib Mikati will submit to the
cabinet on Wednesday a report on the leasing of electricity-generating ships including
his remarks on the file.
According
to the sources, Mikati will focus on the relevant bidding process and its results
in light of the “committed violations” that contradict the principles of
bidding.
The
sources added to the daily that Mikati will convey to the cabinet an offer he had
received from the U.S. General Electric Company which had offered to establish
a power plant producing 500 MW at a cost of $450 million and with a one-year implementation
period, knowing that the cost of leasing ships is estimated at $460 million for
5 years, added to that the cost of the fuel.
The head of
the Defense Office of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Francois Roux announced that
the limit of time by which the investigation carried out by the four defense
teams should end has not been determined.
Roux told
As-Safir daily that the process might require a few months given that the teams
need time and financial support in order to resort to experts in telephone
communications upon which Judge Daniel Bellemare has grounded his decision to indict
Mustafa Amin Badr al-Din, Saleem Jamil Ayash, Hussein Hassan Unaysi and Assad
Sabra.
Roux
revealed to the daily that he holds information that are very important for many
Lebanese, referring to the verdict issued by the International Criminal Court on
March 14 in the case of Congolese rebel
leader Thomas Lubanga. The ICC appealed to the Public Prosecutor to try the
mediators who had brought the “false” witnesses to the trial.
Commenting
on the shift of accusing fingers from Syria and the 4 officers to Hezbollah,
Roux confirmed that it is not a political matter; it is rather based on
evidence. The Public Prosecutor does not accuse Hezbollah as a political
movement but he rather points his fingers at its four members, he added.
A veteran
politician confirmed to
As-Safir daily that, despite the great difference in nature
and composition, Bkerke and the Lebanese Forces are both sensing the growing
number of centrist Lebanese Christians.
The
politician added that Bkerke is seeking to expand the “party of the church” by attracting
the centrist Christians based on the fact that part of the public opinion that used
to side with the FPM but shifted positions will not be easily attracted by the
Lebanese Forces speech, thus, the church will be their desired haven.
The politician added that, in turn, the Lebanese
Forces consider that, through a clear Christian speech and openness to Muslims
in Lebanon and the Arab world, they will be able to draw the support of the
public opinion especially that the party’s position on Syria has resonated positively
among Christians.
Sheikh Ahmad Assir confirmed from outside the Bilal Ibn Ribah Mosque that
he had received a call from the tribes of Wadi Khaled to participate in a protest
in solidarity with the Syrian people, adding that he has not taken a decision yet
in this regard.
Asked on the possible future Movement’s reaction to his visit, Assir
told
Al-Akhbar daily that he has repeatedly announced that his goal is to
please God and that he doesn’t care how politicians would understand his
speech.
As he confirmed that he will not be subservient to anyone, Assir
addressed the Future Movement asking “If you were honest about your positions
on the Syrian regime and the Hezbollah arms, then why you disagree with me
since we have the same opponent?”