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.
An-Nahar daily reported that PM Najib Mikati will visit former PM Saad Hariri in his estate in Paris on Saturday. The local newspaper said that the visit will be conducted out of courtesy and will not be in any way political.
The newspaper quoted French sources as saying that the meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and PM Najib Mikati in the Elysee Palace was positive. The sources said that Paris reiterated its support for Mikati’s efforts to maintain Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty.
According to the same sources, Paris told its guest that the situation in Syria “is unacceptable”, underscoring the need for the international community to assume its responsibility towards Syria.
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin told
An-Nahar daily that his country conveyed a clear message to the Syrian regime. The newspaper quoted Zasypkin as saying: “The message focused on readiness for a dialogue free of preconditions and the Arab observers’ mission.” Zasypkin added that Syrian President Bashar Assad was positive, giving Russia an opportunity to speak with Europeans, Turks and the Arab League.
Zasypkin reiterated Russia’s proposal to host the Syrian dialogue in Moscow, stressing that what is happening in Syria may very well happen in any other country.
The Russian Ambassador ruled out the possibility to “publically or implicitly” discuss Assad stepping down, adding that violence will lead to a civil war.
Speaking on Lebanon’s domestic affairs, Zasypkin said that PM Najib Mikati might visit Moscow; however the exact date of the visit depends on Russian elections.
An-Nahar daily reported that the speeches that will be delivered during the festival in Biel on Tuesday February 14 will touch upon developments in Syria. The newspaper added that the focal point will be the domestic situation.
An-Nahar revealed that the Syrian National Council will also take part in the festival, adding that a speech on behalf of the council will also be delivered. The local daily said that the SNC’s speech will be centered on respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and freedom. The speech will also show the council’s determination to topple the regime no matter the sacrifices.
An explosion rocked an arms cache in Abi Samra near Al Jinan University in Tripoli on Friday. The blast injured four people including one Syrian citizen and three Lebanese.
Security sources told
As-Safir daily that the blast can be the result of a mistake committed while the ammunition was being transferred from the facility. The sources also said that the explosion was likely linked to the clashes between Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.
The sources added that the storage contained a large quantity of bullets, grenades, rocket propelled grenades and a number of missiles.
According to the security sources, that the owner of the farm, an old man (born in 1942), where the facility is located denied that a weapons storage facility was included in his farm. Security forces are waiting for the victims to recover to start investigations.
Member of the Future movement political bureau Mustafa Alloush told
Al-Joumhouria daily that Tripoli is not witnessing fierce battles contrary to information spread by the media, despite the exchange of gunfire.
“What has been said about the explosion of a weapons storage facility in Abi Samra is false”, Alloush said.
Alloush stressed that the shells that fall in Bab al-Tebbaneh came from Jabal Mohsen, denying the rumors that the clashes are occurring between some young men from Bab al-Tebbaneh and the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Alloush said firmly that the LAF will never fire energa missiles against its own people in Bab al-Tebbaneh.