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.
According to
As-Safir newspaper the Vice-President of the European Parliament Rodi Kratsa said that PM Najib Mikati made the right choice by funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in order to prevent all political crimes and bring to justice all perpetrators.
Kratsa added that Lebanon is at the core of International Law and justice, calling on all governmental officials and political leaders to preserve this position. “PM Mikati has made the right choice, we are looking forward to improve all relations between the European Union and Lebanon”, As-Safir quoted Kratsa as saying.
“We cooperate on several joint programs with the Lebanese government as Lebanon will be Eu’s partner in the Middle East”.
On the other hand
As-Safir reported that since Wednesday morning Mikati’s twitter account has received several messages from his followers praising his last stances, as well as 1432 SMS on his personal mobile in the same context.
According to
An-Nahar Speaker Nabih Berri called on Tuesday night PM Najib Mikati to convey a message from Hezbollah officials on funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. In details, Berri told Mikati that Hezbollah approves any funding from outside the government but Mikati refused these claims and demanded a direct message from Hezbollah to prevent any misunderstanding.
Around midnight a delegation from Hezbollah headed by Hussein Khalil visited Mikati to finalize all pending issue regarding the funding.
According to
An-Nahar the head of the pilot's union, Captain Fadi Khalil said that the Union is not willing to end its strike unless Middle East airlines withdraw its warning for all pilots who participated in this strike and immediately pay their wages.
On the other hand the Middle East Airlines issued a statement on Wednesday saying that it will fire any pilot that will participate or initiate any strike in order to preserve the continuity of the company.
Diplomatic sources told
An-Nahar that Lebanon is preparing to file new complaints against Israel to protest the shelling that occurred last week after that the rockets were fired from South Lebanon.
The United Nations Security Council met to review the 1701 resolution and discussed the military report issued by Lebanon regarding the Palestinian rockets launched and the Israeli bombardment.
The report mentioned that the UNIFIL worked to end all military activities after the rocket incident to prevent any further escalation in the region, and cooperated with the Lebanese Armed Forces commander the South to impose to restore stability.
Israel responded that no further military actions will be taken but its forces will be ready to respond to any further similar incident. On the other hand the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed on Wednesday that Israel is taking a similar procedure to complaint at the United Nations about the frequent rocket attacks on its territory, adding that the Israeli envoy to the United Nations Ron Brozer will present Israel’s complaint to the council soon.
Israel blamed the Lebanese Government and the LAF for not being able to control military activities in the south.
PM Najib Mikati told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is a translation for that all Muslims should abide by. Diplomatic sources mentioned that all international doors will be open in front of the Government and PM Mikati after the funding decision, as he will be able to visit political leaders who preferred to await his decision on the STL before establishing any political ties.
The sources added that Mikati established a standard regarding international obligation for Lebanon that will grant the Lebanese justice and stability, stressing that such an achievement could be considered as a renewal for Mikati’s cabinet term.
Al-Liwaa reported that this decision might keep Mikati’s government in power until the 2013 parliamentarian elections.