Press Digest for Tuesday November 15, 2011

4^min

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.

Mikati: We voted against the decision to protect Lebanon

Sources close to PM Najib Mikati told An-Nahar newspaper that the prime minister will launch his diplomatic tour today to explain Lebanon’s stance at the Arab League after it has been put out of context. An-Nahar mentioned that Lebanon’s stance was not to object Arab League’s decisions but to protect Lebanon and its political position in the Arab world, calling on all ambassadors to convey these messages to their governments.

UNSC gives more time to Arab initiative

Western political sources told An-Nahar newspaper that the United Nation’s Security Council is considering giving more time for the success of the Arab initiative to observe whether the Syrian Authorities are willing to stop the violence against civilians.

The sources described the Arab League decision to suspend Syria’s membership in all League branches and meeting as being a “clear and straight” message for the Syrian President Bashar Assad to stop all aspects and violence and allow humanitarian and media envoys to visit Syria.

Hezbollah declares full mobilization, prepares missiles platforms

According to Al-Siyasa daily Hezbollah declared a full mobilization in its ranks; it means that all Hezbollah fighters and members will have to stay on call as well as thousand fighters to get ready for any surprising military operation.

The newspaper added that Hezbollah gave clear directions to its military commanders in the south to prepare its Missiles Units and to raise its readiness to level B, meaning that these units will be able to fire thousands rockets in 12 hours.

Such actions were not taken before 2006 war as Hezbollah ruled out the possibility of a military confrontation with Israel and it took the party three day to ready the missiles and all platforms. Sources told the newspaper that Hezbollah has been preparing for a war for weeks now, which raised some questions on the Israeli side who are constantly flying spy drones to track the party’s movements and used for the first time very advanced and sophisticated spying technologies.

Rifi will run for 2013 elections

Sources close to the general director of the Lebanese Internal Security told al-Akhbar newspaper that General Ashraf Rifi will not resign before the end of 2012 and will make sure that the head of the ISF intelligence Colonel Wissam Hassan will take his position. The sources added that if this scenario is not possible then Rifi will not leave the office before April 2013.

The newspaper revealed that if Hassan replaces Rifi at the ministry then the later will resign in 2012 and will run for the parliamentary election in Tripoli with the Future Movement.

Berri takes firm decisions

According to As-Safir newspaper Speaker Nabih Berri will not accept any alteration or modification in the course of the parliamentary session that will be held on Wednesday. The newspaper added that Berri will insist that the session is for general questions only, therefore will not let any MP address any subject outside the fixed agenda.