Press digest for Tuesday March 6, 2012

6^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.

35 armed men arrested among Syrian refugees

Local NGOs in charge of proving humanitarian aids to Syrian refugees in Bekaa told An-Nahar newspaper that 905 Syrian families crossed the border last week to Lebanon seeking a safe haven amid the growing violence in Syria, adding that this number does not include the 280 families who came to Lebanon on Sunday.

Military sources told the newspaper that more than 35 armed men were arrested among the refugees and are currently being interrogated as a member of the Lebanese Armed Forces was shot during smuggling activities at the border.

International humanitarian organizations sent on Monday a message to the Lebanese government calling on Lebanese officials to provide all necessary aids for these refugees instead of handing them to the Syrian authorities as done previously.

Obama, Netanyahu discuss Syrian file

According to An-Nahar newspaper the American President Barak Obama met with Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu at the White House. President Obama was keen on Israel’s security and interests in the Middle East amid the growing nuclear threats in Iran and other neighboring countries.

On the other hand Netanyahu told Obama that Israel should always be provided with material for self-defense. “When it comes to our [Israel] security, we will take the necessary actions to prevent any threat from disrupting it”, Netanyahu was quoted as saying.

Diplomatic sources told An-Nahar newspaper that the Syrian file was discussed at the White House immediately after discussion on Iran given its importance.

Syria: A Russian-American proxy war

As-Safir newspaper wrote that the current Syrian crisis may be caught in a proxy war between the Russians and the US after that the Arabs clearly proved that they were unable to solve the crisis. Mainly the proxy war will put two blocs in confrontation: The US bloc with major western powers as well as most of the Arab countries against Russia, China, Iran India, Brazil and several other countries.

A Western think tank issued a diplomatic report discussing the stances of three major countries Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey regarding the Syrian file and how these highly evolved states maintained different approaches towards the Syrian regime. The Saudi Arabians are currently divided; King Abdullah and his own team led by his son Prince Abdel Aziz share opposing point of views with former Saudi ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar Ben Sultan and Saudi Foreign Minister Saoud al Faysal who support either a military intervention in Syria led by Arab Forces or the armament of the current Syrian opposition to fight the regime.

On the other hand, Egypt recalled its ambassador to Syria; the report reveals that until now the Egyptian Military Council avoided taking firm stances against the Syrian Regime. Sources reported that the EMC sent a secret message supporting President Assad and his current political regime, leaving the opposition role to the head of the Arab League Nabil al Araby. Lastly, the report deals with the Turkish stances and the Turkish society.

The report says that Turkey contains different religions and sects with secular movement dominating the political life led by Turkish PM Erdogan, adding that all vitals positions in the army and security forces are occupied by the same secular coalition. This political status quo might be disrupted if Turkey takes further stances against the Syrian file as Kurdish and Alawites movements will not remain silent.

Will Sheikh Assir replace Sheikh Saad?

According to Al-Akhbar newspaper, the March 14 coalition is warning of the fresh Salafist movement led by Sheikh Ahmad al Assir from Abra, Saida. The coalition raised many questions; who is behind Assir who suddenly appeared, came to our square, addressed our supporters and stole our words?

Al-Akhbar added that Assir was able to take firm stances against Hezbollah which grabbed the attention of many Future Movement supporters as they found themselves without any political reference and found in Sheikh Assir the image of a true leader.

Future Movement activists called on the party’s leadership to take firm actions as Assir is believed to hold great influence amid the current Sunni political vacuum, but the question remains; will Sheikh Assir replace Sheikh Saad?