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.
Acharq
Alawsat daily learned from STL sources on Wednesday that the main goal of STL
President Judge Sir David Baragwanath’s visit to Lebanon is to reassure the
Lebanese leaders that “the Tribunal will work with full integrity and
impartiality in order to reach the truth behind the murder of former PM Rafik
Hariri and other related murders.”
The sources
confirmed to the daily that Baragwanath will explain to the Lebanese officials
that “the Tribunal judges are neither the agents of a particular state nor
biased to a certain party; all they aim at is holding a fair, honest and
transparent trial. The only power they abide by is conscientiousness and the
rule of Law.”
The sources
added that the STL President will visit Hariri’s assassination site, near the
Saint George Hotel, and will geographically follow the same road taken by
Hariri’s convoy, starting from the parliament in Nejme Square, in downtown,
arriving at the explosion site. “Barawanath thereby intends to be more familiar
with the events on the ground, which is very important for the course of the
trial.”
Acharq
Alawsat daily quoted on Wednesday Hezbollah MP Kamel Rifai as saying that
Hezbollah’s uncovering of the CIA operations dealt a blow to American
intelligence.
“This was
not a lucky strike, it was rather the result of a well-planned action and continued
efforts”, he said, adding that “Hezbollah is aware that the Mossad, the CIA and
even Arab states’ intelligence are attempting in earnest to infiltrate the
Party and its allies.”
Rifai
stressed that “Hezbollah is, accordingly, exerting continuing effort, with full
alertness, to uncover these people.”
The CIA’s
operations in Lebanon have been badly damaged after Hezbollah identified and
captured a number of U.S. spies recently, current and former U.S. officials
told The Associated Press. The intelligence debacle is particularly troubling
because the CIA saw it coming.
Acharq
Alwsat daily quoted on Wednesday judicial sources as commenting on Hezbollah’s
uncovering of the CIA agents.
The sources
said that “the Lebanese judiciary did not receive any official notification of
the incident and the arrested were not presented to us by the concerned
authorities.”
Acharq
Alawsat daily quoted on Wednesday the prime minister’s sources as saying that
PM Najib Mikati considers “the STL funding as an integral part of Lebanon’s
commitments that must be fulfilled.”
The sources
stressed that Mikati opposes anything destabilizing Lebanon, adding that the
prime minister will put forth his decision regarding the funding in the right
time.
“The
administrative mechanism is in the process of being implemented by way of a
letter addressed by Mikati to Justice Minister Chakib Kortbawi and Finance Minister
Mohammad Safadi, requesting them to prepare the STL file.”
Commenting
on Mikati hinting at resignation should the funding-related clause not be
approved by cabinet, the sources confirmed that it is a personal matter related
to Mikati and he will take the decision as and when he sees fit.
Acharq
Alawsat daily reported on Wednesday that Justice Minister Shakib Kortbawi
voiced hope to find a political and legal exit to the issue of STL funding.
Kortabwi
confirmed to the daily that his position is clear in this regard and will state
it with no hesitation when the issue is presented to cabinet.
“I will not
say anything on the matter except during the cabinet session,” Kortbawi said,
adding that the issue of funding the STL will not be included in the agenda of
Friday’s cabinet session.