Press Digest for Monday March 12, 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.

LFA Intelligence pulls plug on Salafist cell involved in bombing plot

According to Al-Akhbar daily, the Intelligence Directorate of the Lebanese Armed Forces disclosed a Salafist cell that included two soldiers planning a blast attack inside the barracks in the name of the Jihad. The daily reported that they are affiliated to Abdullah Azzam phalanges, adding that they consider the military institution as infidel or “kaafira”.

Al-Akhbar stressed that the cell also included seven other members, among them four are Lebanese affiliated to Abdullah Azzam phalange that supports Al-Qaeda. The cell is led by Abou Mohammad Toufic Tah who is a wanted Palestinian living in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.

According to the local newspaper, the Intelligence Directorate entered by force the residencies of the six members at the same time and arrested them all. The six detainees confessed that they are involved in the bombing plot. The daily added that the soldiers were taking advantage of their time off to meet with the middle-man who is Tah’s deputy “R.T.”

The six arrested were transferred to military court four days ago and the Government’s Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr issued an adversarial arrest-warrant against them in light of their testimonies and the investigation’s findings that were based on technical evidence. The warrants were issued on grounds of “plotting for actions targeting the military institution”, especially after one of the arrested confessed that he was waiting for a security gap inside his barrack to smuggle explosives and detonate them.

Berri: No settlement at the expense of public finances

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar daily that he is waiting for the cabinet and the Prime Minister to submit a draft law regarding the 2006-2010 government’s overspending running up to $11 billion. Berri added that he will immediately transfer the draft to the concerned parliamentary committee.

Berri confirmed that he will not include the 8.9 trillion LBP draft in the agenda of the session that will be held on March 15, adding that he will live up to his promise to introduce the $11 billion draft with the first one.

“I will not pass any draft [the $11 billion] before submitting it to the Audit Bureau for examination”, Berri said, “From the legislative and political standing point, I object any settlement or deal at the expense of public finances, I will not be indulgent with this issue and I will follow-up on it until the end”.

Food security at the forefront, fines and lock-downs brewing against violators

An-Nahar daily reported that PM Najib Mikati, in coordination with Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas, called for an urgent meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the Grand Serail. The meeting will be held between Justice, Agriculture and Interior Ministers, General Security officials, Intelligence officers, customs services and the ISF to establish a comprehensive mechanism regarding food safety. The daily added that every concerned party will be tasked with its duty since the consumer protection agency cannot cover all of Lebanon.

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas told An-Nahar that he is drawing-up a new draft and will submit it to the Ministry of Justice to take strict measures against those who tamper with the food safety of the Lebanese people. Nahhas added that the draft will increase fines by 10% and will take measures to close down the violators’ stores.

Nahhas added that violators will in no way enjoy a political coverage, stressing that with the consent of the Premier he will follow-up on this issue to hold those responsible and those who accountable for their actions.

Lebanon disassociates itself from Iranian Conference in support of Syrian regime

Ministerial sources told Al-Hayat daily that Lebanon decided to refrain from participating in the Conference on Syria held in the upcoming days in Teheran upon the invitation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The conference will be attended by Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian representatives. The sources were quoted as saying that Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour received an invitation from his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salihi.

According to the sources, President Michel Sleiman and PM Najib Mikati decided, following discussions, that in harmony with Lebanon’s disassociation policy it will be best to refrain from participating in the conference.

Lebanon decided to distance itself from the Syrian crisis and the regional turmoil in a bid to avoid feeling the repercussions.

The same sources added that the conference scheduled for March 18 in Teheran will be held on the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers and it will be in support of the Syrian regime.