News Introduction for Thursday 26-01-2012

When Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem announced two days ago that the security solution is a popular demand and that the door leading to Arab solutions was closed, the Syrian army launched a wide security operation in Rif Dimashq where violent clashes were erupting day and night, mainly in the suburbs of Douma, Harasta and Erbin right before the visit paid by the Arab monitors to this region. According to activists in Rif Dimashq, security forces rallied following the retreat of what they called “gunmen”. Meanwhile, Reuters quoted “Abu Tha’er”, a fighter in the Free Syrian Army, as saying that Assad’s army has armored vehicles and cannons while “all we have are rifles and RPGs.          

In the meantime, it seems that the last Arab initiative that will be submitted to the Security Council will once again run into the Russian wall. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson revealed that Russia, which has the VETO right, will not find it easy to accept a western-Arab draft resolution endorsing a plan to topple President Assad. Yet, the spokesperson did not exclude the possibility of a compromise; in fact, Russia is promoting a draft it prepared itself with a few amendments.          

The Russian intransigence was also felt by MP Walid Jumblatt who met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov; he said that he understands the conflicting international interests, but hopes that Russia will eventually side with the right. Also in the context of international disparities, NATO’s talks with Russia on the missile defense were once again halted, decreasing the possibility of a summit between both parties.          

In Lebanon, the wage hike decree saw the light but devoid of a transportation allowance, while the electricity issue remained at the forefront of concerns and political campaigns. This issue will be debated tonight on “Kalam Ennas” that will be hosting Energy Minister Gibran Bassil. In the same context, a hubbub followed the decision taken by the cabinet yesterday to appropriate the apartments affected by high-voltage power lines in Mansourieh. Residents asked many questions as to the principle, mechanism and speculations, but the Ministry of Finance preferred to remain silent waiting for the details to be clarified and the funds to be raised.