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.
Sources at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon said on Saturday the assassination of former Minister Mohammad Chatah is similar, in style and objective, to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri as well as all other killings that have been taking place since 2005.
The sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper the killing of former Minister Chatah, along with other assassinations, may be referred to the STL in accordance with article 1 of the agreement signed between Lebanon and the United Nations, stipulating that all other crimes linked to the assassination of Hariri may be referred to the STL.
The sources noted that the said step may be taken upon a decision from the tribunal and the Lebanese cabinet.
Sources reported to
As-Safir newspaper Saturday that contacts were held Friday between Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, pointing out that the 2 officials discussed the assassination of Former Minister Mohammad Chatah.
The sources added that a meeting is expected to be held between Sleiman and Mikati, noting that caretaker PM Mikati may declare after the meeting Sunday the 29th of December as a national mourning day.
It is worth noting that the funeral service of the assassinated former minister is set to be held on Sunday at the Mohammad al-Amin mosque in Downtown Beirut.
Head of the Kataeb Party Amine Gemayel said on Saturday the assassination of former Minister Mohammad Chatah targets the entire Lebanese nation, adding that it aims at disrupting the upcoming entitlements.
Gemayel told
An-Nahar newspaper that former Minister Chatah had no enemies, stressing that Lebanese officials should not raise random accusations, and wait for the results of the investigations.
In this regard, Gemayel urged security apparatuses to exert their utmost efforts to reveal perpetrators at the soonest possible.
Gemayel also asked all Lebanese factions to unite, stressing that “all officials may be at risk and threatened; for this dialogue sessions are necessary in order to maintain the minimum level of stability and security in Lebanon.”
A prominent March 14 official told
Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Saturday the assassination of former Minister Mohammad Chatah is a direct message to former Prime Minister Saad Hariri prior to the trial in the assassination case of his father former PM Rafik Hariri.
A Saudi source told
Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on all Lebanese factions to act in a reasonable manner and work for the benefit of the Lebanese nation.
The source added that Saudi officials support imposing the authority of the Lebanese state as well as the authority of Lebanese Armed Forces on all Lebanese territories.