• Electricity plan details discussed today
A ministerial meeting will be held on Monday in the Grand Serail to discuss the electricity plan.
According to ministerial sources to As-Safir contacts were made in this regard between PM Najib Mikati and President of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblat.
The sources pointed out that Monday's meeting will include a presentation about the plans details by the Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil, answering questions and queries that other ministers might have.
Bassil's presentation will include a detailed study about the new plan as well as a focus on the technical side of it and the funding required in order to implement the plan.
The sources added that the plan's details will be discussed according to the law regulating the electricity sector, Article 462, to avoid any conflict with present laws.
• I was not contacted by Hezbollah: Nicolas Blandford
TIME magazine reporter Nicolas Blandford said that he received a phone call from the editing department of the magazine in New York on Thursday to inform him that a meeting was held with one of the accused in the PM Hariri's assassination and that the content of the meeting should be added to his analysis of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon indictment and Hezbollah's stance.
Blandford said to As-Safir: I cannot confirm whether or not a meeting with the accused took place because I was not there but I can assure that TIME magazine has a high credibility and that it cannot resort to such innovations. He added that he was sure that the meeting was held otherwise the Editing department would not agree on its publication.
Blandford denied that he had received any threats, saying he was not afraid because he had nothing to do with the interview and had not been contacted by Hezbollah.
• Judge Mirza to question Blandford today
Judicial sources told As-Safir that the concerned Lebanese authorities have put their hands on the TIME interview case with one of the individuals accused with the assassination of former PM Rafic Hariri. The sources added that TIME magazine reporter in Beirut Nicolas Blandford will be summoned by the General Prosecutor Judge, Saiid Mirza for questioning on Monday.
• My withdrawal still undecided: Egypt's ambassador in Tel Aviv
Egypt's ambassador to Israel, Yasser Reda said that his withdrawal from Israel after the Sinai incidents that led to the death of 5 Egyptians including a high ranked officer has not yet been decided.
Reda told Al-Rai newspaper that the Egyptian cabinet did not take any decision in this regard, adding that he had heard about this issue only in the media.
Reda said that the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv was not harassed by the Israelis and that there were no demonstrations in front of the Egyptian Embassy in Israel.
• We need to carry out the electricity plan: Abou Faou
The Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour told As-Safir that discussions have been made in the last few days between PM Najid Mikati and a number of political figures to look into the proposed electricity plan.
Abou Faour added that during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday the ministers will look into the technical part of the plan and the right mechanism to implement it as soon as possible.