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.
Speaker
Nabih Berri told
An-Nahar daily that what is currently required is to let the
LAF and security forces into Tripoli’s conflict zone and to refrain from meddling
with the city’s security and daily life of its residents.
In
this context, the daily learned that Berri received a call from Mufti of
Tripoli and the North, Sheikh Malek Shaar, who praised the recent meeting held
at PM Najib Mikati’s residence and hoped that the Speaker will take part in
efforts to halt the bloody events in Tripoli.
Berri
also received another call from an independent figure from Tripoli who informed
him that participants in the security meeting had brought with them arsenal of weaponry
that they distributed to hundreds of armed men.
The
daily also learned that contacts with Berri to control the situation in the
north included Hezbollah and the Head of Arab Democratic Party, Refaat Eid.
A National
Struggle Front delegation will visit Ain al-Tineh on Monday to coordinate with
Berri on the issues of dialogue and Tripoli events, according to the daily.
MP
Sami Gemayel confirmed to
As-Safir daily that he has not stopped calling for a
National Conference since his election, adding that translating this proposal
into action hinges on Hezbollah’s intentions.
Gemayel
stressed that resolving the issue of Hezbollah’s arms is key to holding the
conference, adding that “the party [Hezbollah] plays by different rules that
are grounded in its adherence to its arms’ legitimacy.”
Commenting on Hezbollah’s stance on the formation
of a National Conference, Gemayel said that Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah “dropped a word and walked away without clarifying his statement.”
On another note, Gemayel said that he sympathizes with
the position of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who is adamant on his refusal to participate
in dialogue. He said, however, that “the simple act of sitting at the dialogue
table will reflect positively on the ground, even if previous decisions have
not yet been implemented. The importance of this dialogue lies in the fact that
it is unconditional and called for by the president.”
The Kataeb MP confirmed that his party and the LF
are on excellent terms.
As-Safir
daily learned that security apparatuses might reiterate their demand for access
to full telecom data, adding that the concerned judicial body held a meeting with
the ministers of interior and justice last week to discuss the issue.
The
daily added that the body also met last Friday with representatives of security
apparatuses and telecom experts to continue relevant discussions.
The judicial body is expected to convene on Monday
to decide whether to authorize or ban access to full data.
Circulating Information reveal a
tendency for the body to provide security apparatuses with full data given the exceptional
security situation in the country. Sources added to the daily that the approval
will be conditioned to a two-month deadline.
As-Safir daily revealed that Bkerke is dwelling on the
Lebanese Forces leader’s “unwise decision” to boycott the national dialogue called
for by the president.
Bkerke sources maintain that there is no
alternative to dialogue given that the country suffers from deep division and could
be led astray.
The sources added that Bkerke does not endorse Samir
Geagea’s labeling of the dialogue as “a waste of time” and maintains that “He
[Geagea] should rethink his position”.
As-Safir
daily reported that a gray-colored ship docked off Jiyeh and Jadra- Wadi
al-Zineh shore a few days ago, arousing suspicion among the residents given its unique color and size.
The scenery was reminiscent of the 2006 July war
when military ships would enter Lebanese territorial waters to monitor the
shore.