Press Digest for Friday March 30, 2012

7^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.

Nasrallah expected to deliver speech today

An-Nahar daily reported that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a speech on Friday at 5:30 p.m. His remarks, which will be made on the occasion of the opening of “Sayida Zaynab Complex” in Haret Hreik, will touch upon hot-button issues.

His speech coincided with ceremonies that will take place on “Earth Day” and “Global March To Jerusalem”.

On this occasion, crowds will gather in Al-Shkeif fortress in Nabatieh. According to the newspaper, security measures were taken on Thursday to prepare for the ceremony. The LAF deployed several patrols along the southern border and UNIFIL troops intensified their oversight process from their stable and mobile posts.

Negotiations lowered $470 million from price of electricity generating ships

An-Nahar daily reported that although it was agreed that the ministerial committee in charge of looking into the issue of electricity-generating ships will resume work on Monday and will start negotiations with U.S. and Turkish companies, preliminary talks between the committee headed by PM Najib Mikati and the companies’ representatives began on Thursday. The preliminary talks led to lowering the price by $470 million, according to sources from the committee.

Negotiations are ongoing to improve the contract’s conditions. Talks should lead to 2 renewable years of leasing and 270 Megawatts of electricity.

Sources revealed that the cabinet’s decision to ensure alternative energy was accompanied by the decision to breathe new life into the EDL board of directors, end the current electricity waste and improve the money collection process by assigning this task to service providing companies.

Jumblatt thinks Hariri is turning a blind eye at reconciliation with Saudi Arabia

According to As-Safir daily, the Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt is sparing no effort to clear his name before Saudi Arabia. The newspaper added that sources close to “his majesty” are hinting that obstacles, which were put in place by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in the way of “the volatile ally” when he presented the parliamentary majority on a silver plate to centrist Najib Mikati, are yet to be removed.

The newspaper reported that the short discussion between Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi and King Abdullah during al-Janadiriya festival was not crowned in a royal decision to forgive the Beik. As-Safir added that Jumblatt had tried before to send a message through LBCI via Kalam Ennas TV show, to no avail.

Regardless of the Syrian developments, Jumblatt realizes that any change in the political relations between him and former PM Saad Hariri will be organically linked to an attempt to break the ice with Saudi Arabia. Therefore, some say that the head of the National Struggle Front is not pleased with the former premier who is turning a blind eye instead of opening the doors of reconciliation. The daily stressed that Hariri paved the way before Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who is now a prominent guest in Saudi Arabia.

Sleiman seizes Arab Summit to break the ice with Bahrain

President Michel Sleiman voiced hope that the decisions taken by Baghdad’s Arab Summit will be implemented. The summit, that was held on Thursday in the Iraqi capital and was attended by nine Arab leaders, attached great importance to the Syrian crisis and endorsed the rightful demands of the Syrians.

Sleiman told Al-Mustaqbal daily on his way back from Baghdad that Lebanon backed “Baghdad’s declaration” and the decisions issued by the summit. The president added that the heads of Arab delegations endorsed them by unanimity. Sleiman hoped that his will be positively reflected on Syria and Lebanon. Sleiman underscored the importance of this summit that was held one year after the regional turmoil and in Baghdad in particular.

On another note, the daily learned that the president broke the ice that controlled Lebanese -Bahraini relations due to a statement attributed to Speaker Nabih Berri. According to the newspaper, Sleiman met with Bahraini Foreign Minister following the summit. Sleiman conveyed Berri’s salutations to Bahrain, stressing that Berri’s remarks were taken out of context which reassured the Bahraini official.

Damascus will never open doors for Jumblatt again, says he “does not exist”

As-Safir daily quoted Damascus visitors as saying that Syrian President Bashar Assad is counting on the Lebanese’ high level of awareness of the dangers ahead if the plan targeting Syria succeeds. Assad renewed his appreciation to the role played by the LAF and security forces in controlling the border.

According to the visitors, Assad admitted to the mistakes made by Damascus with its loyal and honest allies, especially those who do not change their minds. Those strategic changes were in favor of some parties that turned their backs on Syria in spite of all the good will that was shown to them by the country.

The visitors conclude that the doors of Damascus will never be opened to the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt, no matter what the future may bring. Therefore, the political reality that succeeded in the past in bringing the two parties together after a long period of boycott will fail miserably in the future. The visitors add that no Syrian official gives the harsh statements made by Jumblatt against Assad much thought and consider that “the men does not exist” on the political scene.

Damascus visitors consider that Jumblatt lost the battle of Jabal Al Arab and took a beat after the residents showed great support for Assad and proved that they are attached to him staying in power.