Press Digest for Wednesday November 16, 2011

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.       

• Aridi slams Ministry of Finance, still boycotting cabinet sessions         

An-Nahar daily quoted Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi on Wednesday as saying that “the ministry of finance confirmed to me that the funds are approved; however, they have not been transferred yet.”      

Aridi earlier announced that he will keep boycotting the Cabinet sessions until all funds allocated to his ministry are transferred.      

Aridi told the daily that “employees in the ministry of finance became ministers and they are now running the ministry,” slamming the ministerial and political works with regards to the management of the country’s affairs.        

Aridi ironically said “I understand their conditions; they are busy with regional and international matters; their achievements are clear. But they are not concerned with problems facing the people in Akkar, Bekaa and other regions.”       

• Eichhorst to Mikati: EU welcomes Arab League’s efforts      

An-Nahar daily quoted on Wednesday European Union Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst as saying that she was looking forward to obtain, during her recent meeting with PM Najib Mikati, an explanation on Lebanon’s position in the Arab League.        

Eichhorst added that Mikati told her that “the Lebanese government should take into account the Lebanese-Syrian historical and geographical ties,” the same statement he voiced at Tripoli, as she said.     

Lebanon voted on Saturday against Syria’s suspension from the Arab League.     

Eichhorst told Mikati that the EU welcomed the Arab Leagues’ efforts and regrets the fact that the Syrian government did not live up to the Arab action plan.           

• Al-Akhbar: Hariri congratulates Allouch over brawl with Baath official           

Al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday that Future Movement official, former MP Mustafa Allouch was showered with phone calls on Tuesday, congratulating him over the brawl during Monday’s MTV show.     

The callers praised Allouch’s attitude during the confrontation he had with Baath Party official Fayez Shakr.    

Al-Akhbar daily revealed on Wednesday that March 14 forces are preparing a political and media campaign to reopen the issue of the Palestinian arms outside the camps, given its strong relation with the Syrian issue.     

The daily reported that the opposition members will call for the implementation of all decisions agreed upon during previous national dialogue sessions, namely the withdrawal of the Palestinian arms outside refugee camps.      

The opposition members fear that the repercussions of the events in Syria will prompt the use of the Palestinian arms.     

• Al-Hayat: Mikati did not coordinate with Mansour    

Al-Hayat daily reported on Wednesday that PM Najib Mikati told the ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states that Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour did not coordinate with him regarding Lebanon’s position in the Arab League.       

Lebanon voted on Saturday against Syria’s suspension in the Arab League.      

The sources added that the ambassadors of the GCC member states who attended Tuesday’s meeting quoted Mikati as saying that “though Lebanon’s position has drawbacks, one should see the positive side. Our position at the Arab League spares the country many problems and preserves stability. It also takes into account the historical and geographical considerations marking the Lebanese-Syrian relations. We hope that you will understand these considerations.”      

 It was reported that Mikati is meeting with Arab and foreign ambassadors to explain the Lebanese position that has drawn domestic and international criticism.