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.
The Head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun told
As-Safir daily that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea “went mad and lost his mind” when he realized that he lost the battle on both the Lebanese and the Syrian fronts. Aoun considered that the harsh remarks made by Geagea lately against the patriarch and the Free Patriotic Movement are those of a losing man.
“Usually the winner is calmer and more forgiving”, Aoun said, “Geagea is getting all the more aggressive and edgier because he realizes that the winds are neither blowing in his favor nor in the favor of the internal-external plan he represents.”
Aoun said that the National Struggle Front chief MP Walid Jumblatt burned all his bridges. “Jumblatt turned into Tarek bin Zayyad who burnt all his boats, even rescue boats, and does not know how to return safe to the shore”, Aoun said. The Head of the FPM revealed that during the summer he will give a signal that will trigger preparations for parliamentary elections, adding that afterwards he “will let opinion polls speak for themselves”.
Turing to Syria, Aoun said that the battle should soon be settled on the strategy level, even if the security and political crises remain pending. “Things are going as I first expected since the regime is still standing”, Aoun added.
Al-Anbaa al-Kuwaiti daily reported that Paris received a warning lately of a possible terrorist attack against the French contingent in the UNIFIL. The newspaper added that French authorities are currently seeking effective protection mechanisms to face such threats.
According to the newspaper, in the event of any attack against its troops located in south Lebanon, France will take stern measures against the party behind the attack.
The Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohammad Raad told
As-Safir daily that Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis confirmed that Cyprus will not take a step at the expense of Lebanon. Raad said that Hezbollah stressed that it is ready to promote and develop relations to serve the interests of both countries.
“Hezbollah expressed readiness to cooperate in order to solve problems that were taking their toll on vital strategic sectors in both countries”, Raad said, “A third party should not be given the opportunity to use these sectors to extort Lebanon”.
Raad hoped that the visit of Speaker Nabih Berri to Cyprus and the talks held with Cypriot officials will bear positive fruits that will enhance bilateral relations.
The Member of Parliament stressed Lebanon’s right to its regional waters and to invest in it without Israel’s interference. “Any violation or attack against Lebanon’s waters and offshore wealth will affect the region and push it towards instability”, Raad added.
The Imam of Bilal bin Rabbah mosque Sheikh Ahmad al Assir told
Al-Akhbar daily that his visit to the Bekaa region falls under the scope of his visits to all regions. “We will not leave a patch of land uncharted”, al Assir said, “We will go everywhere and use peaceful means to prompt people to rise up against butcher Bashar Assad”.
The newspaper quoted al Assir as saying that he asked the Future Movement to apologize for calling him an extremist, “I am still waiting for the apology and God willing we will reach a solution.” Al Assir said that he is not in contact with the Future movement, stressing that efforts to connect with the party are ongoing.
Speaking on accusations that he is intruding on the Future Movement’s strongholds in the Bekaa, al Assir said: “Lebanon is for all Lebanese, no region is anyone’s stronghold”.
Al Assir denied rumors that he is trying to organize himself within a political movement, party or group. “I am no one’s competitor, on the contrary I complete everyone who’s working for Lebanon and the sect’s benefit”, al Assir added.
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin told
As-Safir daily that his country regards the Syrian crisis as “a domestic Syrian affair”. Zasypkin was quoted as saying that the Syrian regime is a key part of the country and its supporters cannot be ignored. “It is unlikely that the regime’s opponents are betting on a military settlement [to the crisis]”, Zasypkin said.
Zasypkin stressed that no party can resort to a military solution, warning that if peaceful bids are not successful the situation will witness further exacerbation. “Therefore an agreement to end violence and organize a comprehensive national dialogue should be reached”, Zasypkin said.
The Russian ambassador said that Russia is wagering on efforts exerted by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan, urging the Syrian opposition to engage in a dialogue without conditions.
Zasypkin added that the policy followed by the Lebanese government at the moment is a balanced and reasonable one. “Russia is looking at the measures taken by Lebanese authorities to protect the country’s sovereignty in a positive light”, Zasypkin said.