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.
Well informed sources ruled out the possibility that the cabinet will table the issue of appointments during Tuesday’s session. The sources told
An-Nahar daily that it may seem that the issue of diplomatic formations will be settled soon.
The local newspaper quoted the sources as saying that, during next week’s session at Baabda Palace, the cabinet will find itself before a new challenge related to the issue of wage adjustment.
“Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas prepared a new draft law that disregards the Baabda agreement concluded between economic bodies and representatives of the GLC”, the sources said.
Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi ruled out the possibility that the cabinet might discuss the budget any time soon. Safadi told
An-Nahar daily that a decision on the budget cannot be taken as long as some financial accounts dating back to 2005 remain unsettled.
Energy Minister Gebran Bassil told
As-Safir daily that a phased plan of action was drafted in order to lay the grounds for the appointment of an administrative body that will regulate the oil sector and follow up on the new marine survey.
“We are currently undergoing a structured process for the contracts that will be put forth and signed. During the first three months [of the year], the Ministry of Energy is expected to start the bidding offers and an administrative committee that will regulate the oil sector will be appointed in the upcoming days”, Bassil said.
Bassil stressed that this success story should be applied to all sectors and institutions in order to build a legitimate civil state. “We have overcome all sectarian, confessional and political barriers, only keeping in mind Lebanon’s best interest”, Bassil said.
Bassil noted that 2012 is the year of contracts and bidding offers, voicing hope that the oil sector is immune to the greed of all parties.
President Michel Sleiman told
Al-Mustaqbal daily that he was wrongfully quoted, stressing that he was not the one who made statements about al-Qaeda, rather it was the Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Press Syndicate, Sleiman was quoted as saying that he has access to information regarding a weapons smuggling operation and the entrance of al-Qaeda terrorists through border villages, especially Arsal.
Sleiman was also cited as saying that curbing these operations is the responsibility of the LAF and security apparatuses, adding that he will discuss this issue with the cabinet in order to hold the concerned parties accountable.
The Head of the Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun said that the Assad-regime has effectively collapsed and lost control over itself and its land. Ghalioun told
Al-Mustaqbal daily that many people now think that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad is the source of chaos, instability and disorder; it may even be the source of conflicts and internal wars.
Ghalioun hoped that Assad will engage soon in negotiations to secure his exit from the country. Ghalioun called on Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Araby to go back on his statements that are not compatible with the events on the ground.
“I hope the report that will be issued by the monitors’ mission will declare outright that the Syrian regime is not committed to the Arab initiative”, Ghalioun said.
Ghalioun announced that the Syrian opposition will resort to the UN Security Council soon, adding that all options are open before the opposition that is mulling over the idea of holding an international conference.