Introduction to the evening news 07-07-2012

The main Arab event today was the Libyan election. After Colonel Muammar Gaddafi managed to reduce Libya’s image to his image as a colonel and conqueror, Libyans headed to ballot boxes today, in the first free elections in more than 60 years. These elections were not exempt of protests, but remained a step forward in the journey of the Arab uprisings and their achievements.       

While Libyans managed to recover their political freedom, Syrian violence targeted Rif Aleppo today and clashes erupted in Aazaz, the region that is most probably harboring the Lebanese abductees. However, like it earlier did more than once, the Syrian fire crossed the Syrian border and once again, the region of Wadi Khaled paid the price of its geographical proximity to Syria.    

At a time when Akkar was crying over her sons, MP Boutros Harb was being briefed on the latest developments in the investigations into the attempt to assassinate him. It was clear that investigations reached a point where they will raise another problem at the cabinet on Monday, more particularly the problem of telecommunications data.     

Also on this issue, MP Fouad Siniora made a strong rhetoric speech in Majdelyoun and wondered “Is PM Mikait waiting until all opposition figures are liquidated to take a decision on the telecommunications data?”        

The National News Agency had reported that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel signed a draft law to provide the control room with the necessary technical equipment in order to have access to the telecommunications data. Nonetheless, this remains subject to the approval of the cabinet.