Press Digest for Monday November 28, 2011

6^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.

Berri: I am not anxious about cabinet’s destiny

Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir daily that he is not anxious about the government’s destiny, adding that he is doing his best to contribute to overcome the new stalemate. Berri reiterated his support for the remarks made by the head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun regarding the importance of activating the cabinet’s work.

“We should never forget that the solution will be reached step by step”, Berii said. Berri called for strengthening the government’s pillars so it can settle all the vital issues with renewed momentum.

Bassil: We are not against settling the funding conundrum

Energy Minister Jibran Bassil told As-Safir daily that no solution can salvage the government if it does not include a clear plan to meet the requirements of the Change and Reform bloc that aim at empowering the cabinet.

The newspaper quoted Bassil as saying: “I am not against looking into different means to settle the funding conundrum, but this alone is not enough.”

Bassil stressed that the cabinet has been shaken several times for reasons not related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. “The fall or the rise of the cabinet is not dictated by the STL funding issue and the solution should be a comprehensive one, otherwise we will not accept it”, Bassil said.

Alloush: Cabinet deadlock not surprising to anyone

Member of the Future Movement’s political office former MP Mustafa Alloush told Al-Liwaa daily that Tripoli festival on Sunday bore great significance and determined the path that the opposition will take in the future. “The direction the opposition will take is based on reconnecting with the public opinion and building new political perspectives”, Alloush said.

The daily quoted Alloush as saying: “No one was surprised by the deadlock that the cabinet reached. On the contrary it was very predictable since the ministers do not see eye to eye on all issues that Hezbollah regarded as the reasons to overthrow the former government.”

Alloush stressed that PM Najib Mikati is seeking to establish a certain balance, following the most recent rough patch, and is busy salvaging his reputation.

Syrian Economy Minister: Sanctions against Syria will deal a blow only to citizens

Syrian Economy Minister Mohamad Nidal Al Shaar told As-Safir daily the decision taken by the Arab League to impose sanctions against Syria is distressing. Al Shaar added that the sanctions mislead the public opinion, conceal facts and harm each and every Arab citizen that deals with Syria. “Let us not forget that these sanctions will mostly affect Syrian citizens”, Al Shaar stressed.

As-Safir quoted Al Shaar as saying that severing relations with the Central Bank will damage the interests of the citizens, since Central Banks, worldwide, work with the best interests of citizens at heart and not that of the regime. Al Shaar regarded the decision as political and, in the end, will deal a blow only to the Syrian citizens.

Nahhas: Sanctions against Syria will not take their toll on Lebanon

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas, who participated in the meetings of Arab Finance and Economy Ministers, told An-Nahar daily when he returned to Beirut that relations between Lebanon and Syria are limited to the issue of electricity. “This vital issue will not be affected by the economic sanctions imposed by the Arab League against Syria”, Nahhas said.

Nahhas ruled out the possibility that the sanctions will not take their toll on Lebanon, adding that the clauses included in the sanctions draft law which are binding to Lebanon, as well as any other Arab countries, do not really apply to the bilateral relations.

“In fact, the air movement between the Lebanon and Syria is very limited and Lebanon does not deal with the Syrian Central bank or with the Commercial Bank of Syria. The Syrian government does not have any financial assets in Lebanon and Lebanon does not fund any projects in Syria”, Nahhas said.

Nahhas stressed that Lebanon is only concerned with monitoring money transfers and trade credits provided by the Central Bank of Lebanon, which is already being supervised upon the request of the international community and the U.S.