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 told
An-Nahar newspaper that ongoing discussions between different political leaders and heads of political parties especially Hezbollah’s leadership in order to unify different point of views regarding pending political issues which will be discussed with the United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his visit to Beirut this week.
Most of the politicians agreed that if would be in Lebanon’s interests to expose a unified point of view on all pending issues. The sources revealed that Speaker Nabih Berri have decided to raise the issue of Lebanon’s offshore resources and its full right to extract these resources and protect them from any threat, adding that Berri will also discuss the renewal of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s protocol.
- Hariri in Lebanon on February 14
Former PM Saad Hariri revealed that he will participate in the popular rally on February 14 that will be held in Martyr’s square in Beirut. Asked if his return to Beirut poses threats on his personal security Hariri replied via Twitter, “I will be back in Lebanon and I’m ready to face all dangers”.
“The Syrian regime people in Lebanon are threatening everyone; this proves that they almost lost everything in politics”.
On the other hand Hariri renewed his claims that the Syrian Regime lost all legitimacy, ruling out the possibility of a civil war in Syria.
Sources close to the leadership of the Free Syrian Army told
Acharq al-Awsat newspaper that the FSA does not have any funding or political support except from Syrian individuals living abroad and other figures of the Syrian opposition currently located in Syria.
The sources revealed that what has been said on the presence of hundreds of Syrian defectors in North Lebanon is exaggerated as the numbers of those who fled Syria and took refuge in Lebanon is very limited, adding that they [Defectors] are unable to carry any sort of political or military activities amid very tight security measures.
The sources mentioned that most of the defectors are Sunnis and expected that in the upcoming days high ranked Alawi army officials will defect to join the Free Syrian Army.
Official governmental sources told
As-Safir newspaper that it is improper to reduce the dangers that the terrorist groups poses to Lebanon when all the countries are taking severe measure to fight terrorism, adding that weapon smuggling issue on the Lebanese-Syrian border would not be possible is these actions did not find a proper political, popular and religious support in several areas.
The sources pointed that the Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn will abide by the cabinet’s decisions regarding all security issues, adding that the statements of Ghosn are completely relevant as they are based on concrete evidences.
“No one can oblige Ghosn to reveal his sources as the Minister has his own information on the ongoing events at the border”, the sources were quoted as saying.
According to
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper MP Toni Abou Khater commented on the last statements of the Maronite Patriarch Bshara Rai, announcing a new round of talks with Hezbollah, saying that the current Patriarch is drawing a new political path for Bkerke.
Abou Khater hoped that Rai would be able to reach a consensus with Hezbollah regarding its armament and implement security and stability in the country.