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 newspaper Speaker Nabih Berri announced that the cabinet has decided to study draft laws regarding Lebanon’s offshore resources, adding that if the government approves these law it will crown its achievements and start this year positively.
Berri said that the ministry of Energy will be responsible to implement whatever the government approves and to start receiving bids from foreign or local companies interested in the drilling. Berri told An-Nahar that the Lebanese should know that the oil project will hopefully be done very soon, as it will bring prosperity to the Lebanese economy.
Asked about his relationship with PM Najib Mikati he said “Mikati is a brother and a friend”.
According to
As-Safir newspaper the Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel said that all those who believe that Dahiye is an outlaw area in Beirut is mistaken, as 90% of Dahiye residents are good people who respect the rule of law.
Charbel mentioned that the Ministry of Interior has decided to stop all breaches in these areas, adding that the ISF does not face any obstacle while doing its job in Dahiye but it is being supported by Hezbollah and its members.
Al-Rai Kuwaiti newspaper mentioned that Western diplomatic reports are being discussed in closed meetings regarding the latest issues in Syria, adding that these reports revealed that Syrian President Bashar Assad will definitely leave power in July 2012.
The newspaper revealed that the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman conveyed these reports to Lebanese officials during his last visit to Beirut, calling on Lebanese politicians to protect Lebanon from any repercussion that might follow Assad’s fall.
Feltman said during his meetings that the West is happy with PM Najib Mikati’s decision to distance Lebanon from all the ongoing events in the Middle East and the region, adding that Mikati’s policy will be on Feltman’s agenda during his next visit to France.
Sources close to PM Najib Mikati told
As-Safir that all rumors about tensions between the Free Patriotic Movement and Mikati regarding the administrative appointments are untrue, adding that the government is willing to tackle all pending issues in order to find the best outcome for Lebanon’s interests.
The sources revealed that Mikati will visit the head of the Civil Service Council after the holidays to discuss the administrative appointments so they can be voted on during the cabinet session on Wednesday.
According to
An-Nahar newspaper the Palestinian ambassador to Lebanon Abdullah Abdullah said that Al-Qaeda is not present in Lebanon, adding that the security of Ain el-Hilweh should not be messed with as its repercussion will affect everyone.
Abdullah told the newspaper that intensified investigations have led to reveal the identity of the perpetrators in the camp who caused the latest unrest. Abdullah revealed that the Palestinian authorities in the camps are ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government reach an agreement to regulate the armaments of the Palestinian factions and preserve the rule of law.