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.
Energy Minister Gebran Bassil told
As-Safir daily that he called on all the ministers to shoulder their responsibilities regarding the electricity situation which he said is at stake as the upcoming days could witness severe power shortages.
Bassil added that the cabinet supports the draft law he had put forth to address the issue of the EDL contract workers.
The energy minister urged the cabinet and all political parties to assume their responsibilities, warning that some opposition members are inciting contract workers [to protest].
In a related context, sources close to Bassil stated that “nothing could be achieved under pressure and threats; dialogue is impossible in the current atmosphere,” adding that Bassil will be ready to engage in dialogue [with the contract workers] when the situation in the Electricité du Liban returns to normal.
Sources confirmed to
Al-Akhbar daily that a member of the Syrian National Council, comprised of 300, is directly implicated in the kidnapping of Lebanese pilgrims in Aleppo.
According to the sources, the suspicious member lives in Turkey while armed groups affiliated with him, made up of roughly 400, control a part of the border adjacent with Turkey.
The sources confirmed that the head of the SNC and several of its members are aware of the SNC member’s involvement in the kidnapping, “but that does not mean that the kidnapping was coordinated with the council or carried out under its orders.”
The daily quoted the sources as saying that the member in question receives unofficial support from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
PM Najib Mikati confirmed to
An-Nahar daily that his visit to Turkey aims at checking the recent information available with the Turkish authorities regarding the Lebanese hostages.
Mikati added that, upon his arrival to Istanbul, he contacted Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who briefed him on the recent developments in this regard.
British ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher highlighted London’s full support of the UN-Arab envoy Kofi Annan’s “tough mission”, adding that Annan’s peace initiative “is the best plan we have.”
In a statement to
An-Nahar daily, Fletcher said “the expulsion of diplomats was not the choice we wanted to make; the crimes committed by the Syrian regime left us with no other alternatives.”
Future Movement sources told
An-Nahar daily that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s stance on dialogue reflects the position voiced by March 14 on May 24.
The sources explained that former PM Fouad Siniora had explained the movement’s position to President Michel Suleiman while the head of the Kataeb party, Amine Gemayel, confirmed that his party and the Future Movement are “on the same front”.