Introduction to the evening news 07-06-2012

Many domestic and external events overshadowed the case of the Lebanese abductees today but Hajjeh Hayat al-Aawali added a new riddle to the story.       

A fierce diplomatic battle was waged at the U.N. General Assembly this evening. The protagonists were: Syria’s ambassador to the U.N. Bashar al-Jaafari, U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, Arab League’s Secretary general Nabil Elaraby and the Arab group. The battle revolved around the massacres committed in Syria and their perpetrators. Meanwhile, international monitors in Syria were shot at while heading to the site of al-Qubair massacre. It is noteworthy that it was the first time monitors come under fire in Syria.      

Also today, the U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton informed the world of Washington’s stance on the massacres, urging President Assad to hand over power and leave Syria.      

Domestically, in light of tensions prevailing over Tripoli, the northern border and the town of Arsal, the cabinet managed to take a financial step that saved the government. During its session, the cabinet ratified an urgent draft law to advance the spending value of 10,394 billion LBP to cover the expenses for the year 2012; another 150 billion LBP were allocated for Tripoli.     

During the session, the president gave the green light for sub-parliamentary elections in Koura by calling for the completion of preparations.      

As for Monday’s dialogue, a March 14 delegation headed by former PM Fouad Siniora is expected to head to Baabda Palace tomorrow to hand the president a memorandum with the demands of the coalition. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces announced that they will not participate in the dialogue session on Monday.        

Separately, on the case of the Lebanese pilgrims abducted in Syria, Hajjeh Hayat al-Aawali reveals to LBCI the exact location of the abduction, only hundreds of meters away from the Turkish-Syrian border.