Press Digest for Wednesday February 8, 2012

5^min

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.

Wahhab and SSNP send troops to fight along Syrian regime

Al Seyassah al Kuwaiti daily reported that the head of the Arab Tawhid party Wiam Wahhab received large sums of money from the Assad regime to bolster his influence within Druze circles. The daily added that Wahhab’s visits to Druze pro-Assad religious figures, visits broadcasted by local media, fall within the framework of the support.

Wahhab also distributed money and weapons amongst the residents of Jabal Al Arab, otherwise known as the mountain of the Druze in Syria.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying that Wahhab has been contacting and visiting important figures in Jabal Al Arab to prompt them to stand by the “undefeatable” Syrian regime. The sources stressed that Wahhab told Druze figures that the regime will manage to oppress the revolution of the Syrian people in the near future.

According to the sources, Wahhab sent a group of young men, in coordination with the Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party, to support the Syrian regime in its crackdown and participate in pro-Assad demonstrations.

Berri: No one can tarnish the names of LAF commanders or soldiers

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar daily that the Lebanese Armed Forces headed by General Jean Kahwaji are assuming all required duties. “This national institution is implementing the cabinet’s policies by disassociating itself from the events in Syria”, Berri said.

Berri voiced surprise over the remarks from different MPs and politicians attacking the LAF.

“The army is not taking sides and assuming its duties on the ground in accordance with the national spirit. The LAF is also organizing the border between the two countries…No one can tarnish the names of the army’s officers or soldiers. Enough with the attacks against this noble institution”, Berri added.

Berri also told As-Safir daily that he is still holding onto his stance as to avoid interfering in the cabinet’s affairs, adding that he is yet to be convinced that the government is passing through a real crisis that need to be solved. Berri stressed that his meeting with PM Najib Mikati did not make him change his mind.

Charbel: Abducted Iranians are not in Lebanon

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel tol Al-Joumhouria daily that security forces have come to the conclusion that the Iranian citizens who were kidnapped in Syria are not on Lebanese soil. Charbel stressed that it is unlikely that the abductors will transfer them to Syria, since they wish to keep a close eye on them.

“I do not think that the abducted [Iranians] have somewhere where they can take refuge in Lebanon”, Charbel said.

Feltman to March14 friends: No use in waging a war against Mikati

Al-Joumhouria daily reported that Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman told eight of his March 14 friends during a dinner that there is currently no use in waging a war against PM Najib Mikati.

The local newspaper quoted Feltman as saying: “Lebanon has won the sovereignty and independence battles, in the upcoming phase focus must be shifted towards security and stability waiting for events to take shape in Syria”.

Feltman reassured his friends that the STL will press on work in Lebanon in light of the guarantees provided by Mikati to the U.S. administration. Feltman also stressed that Washington is betting on a visit that Mikati will pay to the U.S., just like his visit to France.

AL Watan: Arab League pulls out observers from Damascus

One of the members of the Arab observers’ mission revealed that the Arab League informed the mission on Tuesday that its duties are over and it will leave Damascus to return to their countries.

The member told Syrian daily Al Watan that no official explanation was given to the 65 members taking part in the mission.