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.
Al-Akhbar daily quoted National Struggle Front Leader MP
Walid Jumblatt on Friday as confirming that he did not meet with former PM Saad
Hariri during his visit to Paris despite the latter’s presence there.
Jumblatt added that he did not meet with French officials,
thus he has no information about the French position regarding the events in
Syria.
Asked about the reason he did not meet with Hariri, the daily
quoted him as saying “I did not ask for an appointment, neither did he; and I
will not call for a meeting since I am part of the broad coalition with PM
Najib Mikati.”
Jumblatt added that he is “staying with Mikati”, stressing
that “Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berri have done an excellent job.”
In response to declarations that he is beginning to switch
his political alliances, Jumblatt made clear that “I will not risk changing my
alliances,” taking into account Hezbollah’s reservations and the arms’ role in
fighting Israel near the southern borders as he added “some has forgotten
Israel.”
Commenting on the STL funding, Jumblatt described it as “a
positive move that spares Lebanon the repercussions of the regional events,
especially those in Syria.”
According to the daily, Jumblatt still fears a security
solution for the Syrian crisis that would plunge the country into sectarian
strives.
Al-Akhbar daily reported on Friday that Syrian President
Bashar Assad is comfortable with the stable situation in Lebanon as he
confirmed that he is currently absent from the domestic developments in
Lebanon.
Assad added that “when the Syrian crisis is settled, Lebanon
will enter a more comfortable phase.”
According to the daily, Assad confirmed, during the Muslim
Scholars Gathering of Lebanon, that the U.S. is trying to cover its withdrawal
from Iraq by sowing conflicts in Syria.
Assad added that “Islamists are not all the same…the Syrian
authorities have dealt with all of them on even footing so they shut many
religious institutions and chased after many people.”
According to the daily, Assad called for looking into the
term of Islamists as he acknowledged that Syria erred in dealing with all
Islamist institutions as one.
Assad discussed ties with the Muslim Brotherhood saying “we
have opened dialogue doors many times for the Muslim Brotherhood, but we did
not get anywhere due to their obstinacy…But today we are not ready to engage in
dialogue with them unless they climb down.”
Assad admitted that the economic sanctions will affect Syria
but will not be “catastrophic”, adding that there will be a raft of procedures
that will help him overcome these sanctions.
Commenting on the Turkish sanctions, Assad said Turkey cannot
impose its will on Syria, adding that “it is getting involved in a matter that
is greater than its regional size and greater than what the Turkish reality
could withstand.”
Assad said, in response to one of his guest’s question, that
he is ready to receive former PM Saad Hariri again since Syria has not closed
the door to anyone.
“Based upon the many-hour meetings with Hariri, it appeared
that he is not into discussions of political issues, rather of other diverse
matters,” he said, adding that, unlike circulating allegations, he does mind to
receive Hariri if he goes back on his position.
Energy Minister Gibran Bassil handed PM Najib Mikati on
Thursday the official demands of the Change and Reform bloc.
These demands includes activating the electricity draft-law
with no further hindrances, approving the water plan, preparing the budget
according to principles agreed upon at the Finance and Budget Committee,
carrying out suspended financial calculations, settling the issue of wages
adjustment along with the full health coverage, preparing a law for the LAF
supporting program and carrying out the required administrative and judicial
appointments, topped by the appointment of a head of the judicial council .
According to
As-Safir daily, Bassil told Mikati that the
movement will draw its path for the upcoming phase in line with the way these
demands are being dealt with.
Bassil stressed that funding the STL was only to keep the
government intact and does not mean that he will go back on any of his demands.
As-Safir daily reported on Friday that assiduous efforts are
being deployed in Akkar in order to contain the ongoing protests on the
electricity outages, averting possible dire consequences.
Security sources in Akkar revealed that some are attempting
to keep the LAF and security forces busy with these protests which are
concentrated in towns known for their sectarian sensibility and deep political
divisions.
Meanwhile the Arab Democratic Party in Akkar confirmed that
tough instructions were given to the supporters and residents of the Alawite
villages to avoid any possible clash.
In turn, the electricity company in Akkar explained that the
electricity outage is due to the strict rationing program in all Akkar regions.
As-Safir daily published on Friday that the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon announced on Twitter that the testimonies given by certain people
to the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission prior
to the establishment of the Tribunal are not within its jurisdiction.
“Testimony given to the UNIIIC, before the STL existed, is
not under our jurisdiction,” the STL tweet said.
The Tribunal added that “If giving misleading testimony to
UNIIIC is a crime under Lebanese law, it might be possible for Lebanese
judiciary to prosecute it.”
“If individuals provide misleading testimony before the STL,
they could be seen as in contempt of court,” another tweet said.
“We look forward to the continuing co-operation of Lebanon as
we work towards completing our judicial mandate.”
“Representatives of Lebanese people have demonstrated their
commitment to work for the rule of law and long-term stability with
contribution.”