Press Digest for Thursday January 26, 2012

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.      

• Samir Kassir’s case linked to Rwanda’s genocide

Sources revealed to Al-Akhbar that French judge Jean-Louis Bruguière who is the leading investigating magistrate at Samir Kassir assassination’s case, has based all his report on false witnesses implicated in the Rwandese civil war which cause the death of nearly one million civilian.

• Berri: I will over watch the committee’s work

Sources present at the Finance and Budget Committee meeting told Al-Akhbar newspaper that Speaker Nabih Berri called on all parties to respect committees’ internal bylaws.

Berri stressed on the importance of attending all the committee meetings, adding that the quorum should not be subject to small political equations and personal motives.

“I will make sure that these committees are working properly and I will be holding monthly sessions to follow up on their work”, Berri told the newspaper.

• Hariri: Do we represent Lebanon or Syria?

According to Acharq al-Awsat Secretary General of Future Movement Ahmed al-Hariri said that Lebanon’s policy of self-disassociation protect the Syrian Regime and provide it a political shelter. “We are confused whether Lebanon’s seat at the Arab League represents Lebanon or Syria”, Hariri told the newspaper.

• Safadi: New budget plan soon

According to al-Joumhouria Finance Minister Ahmad Safadi is preparing the lunch the new budget plan as the current one includes additional taxes.

Safadi told the newspaper that the cost of ships ordered by the Ministry of Energy to provide Lebanon with energy and the wage adjustment plan are not included in the current budget that the ministry is working on.  

• Bellemare in Lebanon to hold closed meetings

Sources close to the Special Tribunal of Lebanon told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that General Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare will meet the families directly affected by the assassination of the former PM Rafic Hariri.