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
An-Nahar French Ambassador Denis Pietton conveyed an official invitation from the French PM Francois Fillon to his counterpart Najib Mikati to visit Paris soon.
Fillon praised Mikati’s stances to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, adding that this step confirms Lebanon’s commitment to international duties towards the tribunal which was established upon former PM Rafic Hariri’s assassination.
Fillon addressed PM Mikati saying “After your last stances and your personal decision to fund the STL, I will be glad to receive you in France to discuss the latest issues along with President Nicolas Sarkozy”.
“During Mikati’s visit we will tackle all pending issues in the Middle East and review bilateral relations between the two countries [Lebanon-France]”, Fillon was quoted as saying. In this regard An-Nahar newspaper reported that PM Mikati will visit France in January 2012.
According to
As-Safir the upcoming cabinet meeting on Wednesday will most probably be held without the six Free Patriotic Movements minsters, while sources close to General Aoun reported that this is the first step to express the movement’s discontent with the current situation, adding that the FPM is ready to take its stances further and to resign from the government if it is necessary.
Aounist sources told the newspaper that the resignation decision will be discussed during the FPM weekly meeting on Tuesday in Rabieh and will be announced by General Michel Aoun in a press conference, adding that the party has several reasons to raise its voice against the negative performance of the current government.
“The situation became unbearable and the ball is not in our hands anymore, all subjects are to be discussed and all scenarios are probable, we refuse to be an added number and false witnesses in the government”, the newspaper quoted FPM sources as saying.
According to
Al-Hayat newspaper the Arab League General Secretary Nabil Elaraby responded to Syrian FM Walid Moallem’s message, regarding the Arab Protocol to deploy Arab monitors in Syria and implement Arab League decisions, saying that the Syrian response included new items unheard before.
Elaraby added that Moallem included Syrian requirements that should be discussed with the rest of the Arab FM, revealing that no further deadlines would be given to Syria anymore.
Sources from the Arab League told Al-Hayat that the General Secretary conveyed Moallem’s message to the rest of the Arab Foreign Ministers and started preparing for the official response which will be revealed soon.
In this regard, diplomatic sources expected that the Arab League will refuse all Syrians conditions, revealing that some Arab Ministers told Elaraby that the Syrian demands are illogic and aim to limit the League capabilities without finding a solution.
According to
As-Safir newspaper the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman will arrive in Beirut on Tuesday night during his regional visit which will include Ramallah and Jordan.
The newspaper added that during his stay Feltman will discuss political and security issues pending in Lebanon and the region as well as the Syrian file, revealing that Feltman’s visit was supposed to happen in the past weeks but was postponed for unknown reasons.
Sources told the newspaper that Feltman will remind all Lebanese officials that Lebanon should keep its commitment to international resolution especially United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 and 1559. Feltman will meet President Michel Sleiman, PM Najib Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday and Wednesday as well as the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblat.
According to As-Safir newspaper that after it has been decided that the President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Judge David Baragwanath will answer all questions on twitter website, the Tribunal revealed that Registrar Herman von Hebbel will be answering all questions asked by Lebanese citizens and journalists on Wednesday without giving any clarification regarding the changes.