Press Digest for Tuesday September 6, 2011

5^min

Wikileaks cables: Berri was in no hurry for a ceasefire to end 2006 war

Al-Mustaqbal daily reported from cables published by wikileaks and issued by the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon that Speaker Berri “was in no hurry” to declare a ceasefire that would put an end to the 2006 war with Israel.

“Berri was in no hurry to declare ceasefire and he was waiting for Israel’s final proposal”, cable Beirut 224006 said.

Cable 3818 also issued by the U.S. Embassy on November 29, 2005 said: “Berri sluggishly defended Hezbollah’s assault against an Israeli site on November 21, 2005, claiming the assault was in retaliation for Israel’s military harassment. However, Berri described the assault as unproductive and a threat to Lebanon’s stability”.

The cable added that Berri told then-U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltmen that he would have liked to publish a statement about the incident but “he is incapable of doing so”.

Al-Mustaqbal daily added in cable 895 also issued by the U.S. embassy on March 21, 2006 that Berri told Feltmen: “In the upcoming national dialogue session to be held on March 22, 2005 the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons will definitely be settled”, adding that, according to him, agreeing on a president may be the hardest issue in need of a solution.

The cable said that Berri urged the U.S. government to call on Saudi Arabia and Egypt to pressure Syria to push then-Lebanese President Emil Lahoud to step down.

Safadi to As-Safir: Treasury cannot afford $ 1.2 billion for electricity plan

Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi told As-Safir daily that the Lebanese government cannot allocate $1.2 billion for the electricity plan as treasury can neither afford nor accept this huge amount.

“The Finance Ministry is ready to earmark $600 million”, Safadi said, “and in six month the ministry will add another $600 million if donors and funds fail to do so”.

Safadi voiced hope that efforts will culminate in an understanding before Wednesday’s cabinet session.

Mikati to As-Safir: Electricity plan has not reached a deadlock

Lebanese PM Najib Mikati told As-Safir daily that the electricity plan did not reach a deadlock, adding that the concerned parties did come to a certain solution.

Mikati voiced hope that the electricity issue will be concluded on a positive note.

Ghosn to An-Nahar: Future protests dependent on dialogue

The president of the Federation of Labor Unions Ghassan Ghosn told An-Nahar daily that Monday’s meeting with PM Najib Mikati tackled the minimum wage issue and that the social care issue will be postponed until October.

An-Nahar learned that the meeting did not address how a proposed rise in minimum wage will be funded. Traditionally the cabinet sets the ratios and issues decrees without taking into consideration the unions’ points of view and suggestions.

“The Labor Union insists on raising the minimum wage to 1.25 million LBP to create a balance between purchasing power and wages, and stimulate the market”, Ghosn said.

Ghosn added that the meeting of the Labor Union’s executive committee on Tuesday will set the date for future protests dependent on how productive dialogue with the authorities will be.

Ghosn ruled out the possibility of holding meetings with economic bodies that are using a provocative language when dealing with labor issues.

Jumblatt to As-Safir: The cabinet should settle electricity issue once and for all

The Head of the National Struggle Front Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir daily that he hopes the cabinet will settle the issue of the electricity plan once and for all.

“I am open to any solution since dealing with the electricity plan is crucial”, Jumblatt added.

Jumblatt also said that his front put forth a few ideas as well as technical and administrative recommendations that remain above political considerations.