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 reported that, while the issue of electricity-generating
barges is still under negotiation between the ministerial committee and the Turkish
company “Karadeniz”, the issue of “politicians’ bills” resurfaced in light of
the recent debate between MPs at the general discussion session.
According to the daily, the dispute that erupted between
March 14 and March 8 lawmakers revealed overdue bills of politicians and
parties from both camps.
The information revealed that Minister Gebran Bassil has called on the Électricité
Du Liban to take action against politicians and officials that have evaded
bills and to collect these overdue payments based on warnings sent since April
2010.
As-Safir
daily published on Thursday extracts from the U.S. account of the May 7 events
based on letters sent to the U.S. Department of State from different sources, notably
the U.S. embassy in Beirut. These letters were published by WikiLeaks last
year.
WikiLeaks
revealed that, on May 12 2008, during a meeting with then U.S. Ambassador to
Lebanon Michele Sison, former PM Saad Hariri called on the U.S. to boost its
support for Lebanon within hours, not days. Hariri suggested that the U.S. send
at least one aircraft to fly over Syria as a threat message or deploy its Sixth
Fleet along the coastal Syrian border given that March 14 forces will not be
able to resist Hezbollah for so long and, thus, they might have to conclude an agreement
with the party.
Another
WikiLeaks cable dated 12 May quoted Sison as reporting that LF leader Samir
Geagea informed her, during an evening visit to the embassy in Awkar,
accompanied by then Tourism Minister Joseph Sarkis, of the importance of drawing
a long-term strategy to rein in Hezbollah as he confirmed to her that he is
working with Ashraf Rifi to purchase ammunition for his militia and the militants
of MP Walid Jumblatt.
Sources
close to PM Najib Mikati told
As-Safir daily that, during discussions of the
expenditure-related items, Mikati intervened to point out that “it is unacceptable
that the cabinet carries on without productivity or expenditure.”
Mikati added that a solution must be found for the
tabled issues and that the Public Accounting Law has determined an expenditure method.
“The bleak picture that some are associating with the
cabinet is unrealistic”, he said, adding that despite complications and
problems, a solution and settlement must be reached eventually, especially with
regards to the tabled administrative and financial issues.
- Lutfallah 2
cargo includes French-made weapons used during Gaddafi-era battles
Al-Akhbar daily reported that, although the LAF are keen on keeping the investigations
into the Lutfallah 2 case undisclosed, part s of the results were revealed,
pointing out that the security apparatuses are currently focusing on determining
the identity of a Lebanese figure who played a key role in the purchase and
storage of arms and their shipment to Syria, where they were delivered to
members of the Syrian opposition.
According to the daily, the ship’s cargo included French-made
rocket launchers, the same one used by Libyan rebels against pro-Gaddafi militants.
Labor
Minister Salim Jreissati described Wednesday’s cabinet session as “sublime”,
adding that many points related to the expenditure issue were clarified during
the session.
Jreissati
told
Al-Liwaa daily that discussions of the Public Accounting Law that was brought
by PM Najib Mikati failed to lead to an agreement between opposing parties.