Introduction to the evening news 08-03-2012

Today, officials were busy with two prominent issues: first, the Higher Defense Council’s emergency meeting that was held in light of an American-Syrian fist fight under the slogan “Lebanese border with Syria” and the displaced Syrians or Syrian opposition figures who entered Lebanon through the Syrian border. LBCI knew that Lebanese officials received contradictory letters from both the American ambassador and the Syrian ambassador: while the Syrian ambassador called for controlling borders and arresting Free Syrian Army members who infiltrated into the Lebanese territories, the U.S. ambassador asked not to arrest them should they lay down their arms. The Higher Council discussed these facts today though its deliberations were confidential.          

The second issue is the cabinet’s extraordinary session to be held tomorrow. In fact, in the afternoon, contradictory information circulated on whether it will be held or postponed amid rumors expecting it to be stormy if it was to be held. In fact, Change and Reform bloc ministers will voice their objection to the finance minister’s project to settle the issue of billions.       
In another context, LBCI knew that fuel sectors will probably hold a strike next Thursday; the causes will be disclosed in a report later in the bulletin.        

In Syria, it seems that all eyes will be on Idlib that seems to be the next target after Homs. This development occurs before the arrival of U.N. - Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.