Press Digest for Sunday December 4, 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.      

• Hezbollah: French generals maintain strong ties with Israel

Sources close to Hezbollah told Asharq Alawsat Newspaper that the French decision to let go of UNIFIL leadership in the South was not surprising as the relations between the Lebanese and the French contingents were not on good terms, especially since some French generals maintain strong ties with the Israeli Army.

The newspaper added that despite these suspicious ties Hezbollah is keen to protect the UNIFIL and its presence so it can exercise its full power and protect Lebanon from all breaches and any potential threat from Israel
.  

• Alloush: Sayyed Nasrallah gives Mikati orders

According to Al-Siyasa newspaper, Future Movement member Mustapha Alloush revealed that both Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement secretly approved PM Najib Mikati’s method of funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Asked about the false witnesses issue Alloush said, “They [March 8] have been in power for 8 months now, let them open this subject to see if they are right or not”. “I can’t see in Sayyed Nasrallah’s words more than just orders for PM Najib Mikati who has to respect them”.

• Chinese ambassador: We reject any intervention in Syria

According to Al-Hayat newspaper the Chinese ambassador to Lebanon said that all issues in the country are related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, calling on Lebanese officials to engage in a national dialogue very soon for the sake of all parties.

The Chinese ambassador voices his country’s support to Lebanon to implement peace and security and overcome all obstacles. Al-Hayat reported that China supports a dialogue between all parties in Syria and the implementations of the reforms led by President Bashar Assad. “We reject any form of intervention in Syria as the only solution should be issued by the Arab League”. Al-Hayat quoted the ambassador as saying.      

• Weapons smuggled from Lebanon to Syria

According to Al-Siyasa newspaper investigations led by security forces in Lebanon showed that people close to March 8 forces are smuggling weapons from Lebanon to Syria purely for financial benefits.

In this regard the newspaper added that an eminent political party is investigating the possibility that one of its cadres in the Bekaa region is involved in the smuggling actions from Lebanon to Syria. The cadre surprised its leadership by saying that it even sent weapons to Pro-Assad groups to fight against the protests    

• Ghosn: the CGTL will strike again

According to An-Nahar newspaper the leader of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) Ghassan Ghosn that solving the wage adjustment issue by giving a 17% increase on salaries is ridiculous given the taxes and high cost of living.

Ghosn added that the CGTL will decide to stage strikes if the previously agreed 40% is not imposed on all institutions. Ghosn told An-Nahar that the CGTL will be meeting constantly, waiting for the upcoming cabinet meeting to decide on that matter”.