Press digest for Friday September 09, 2011

5^min

Roux advises four accused to appear before justice

The Head of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Defense Office Francois Roux advised the four indicted in former PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination to appear before justice and to provethey are innocent.

Roux told As-Safir daily that the four accused should defend themselves in court and question the indictment’s credibility before justice rather than to newspapers.

“The counsels of the STL defense office are eager to refute the indictment issued by General Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare since it includes doubtful evidence,” Roux said, calling on every individual holding information or evidence that will help the case of the defense office to come forth.

The newspaper quoted Roux as saying: “I hope the STL’s legitimacy will be raised so that the judges can settle this issue once and for all,” referring to the accusations made targeting some STL practices that do not comply with the Lebanese constitution.

Roux made clear that the defense office will spare no effort to push Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen to provide Brigadier General Jamil Al Sayyed with the documents he requested.

“We are not entitled to take any measures but we will submit a request to Fransen who will make sure that all appropriate measures are taken”, Roux added.

Jumblatt urges cabinet to jumpstart administrative appointments

The Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt voiced hope that the electricity bill will be soon adopted in Parliament.

As-Safir daily quoted Jumblatt as saying: “The adoption of the electricity plan by the cabinet is an achievement that everyone can be proud of.”

Jumblatt told the local newspaper that by adopting the plan Lebanon is declaring its readiness to settle this long-standing problem.

Jumblatt urged the government to take further steps that will lead to achievements and breakthroughs especially in the administrative appointments issue.

“The government should fill the administrative gaps in the state’s posts”, Jumblatt added, underscoring the importance of basing the appointments on merit rather than on political affiliations.

Abdel Karim to Al-Liwaa: U.S. sanctions are “a medal of honor”

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim described the U.S. sanctions against him as “a medal of honor” since they were imposed by a country that violates human rights on a daily basis and whose modern history is filled with the most heinous crimes ever committed.

Abdel Karim told Al-Liwaa daily that no one can accuse him of unprofessionalism since he has not committed any diplomatic mishaps during his mandate in Lebanon.

Commenting on remarks holding him responsible for the protests organized in front of the Syrian embassy, Karim responded saying: “Where is the embassy or the ambassador’s responsibility in what happened?”

The newspaper quoted the Iranian ambassador as saying that the embassy’s security is the responsibility of the Lebanese authorities.

“The ambassador has no say in any protest organized, whether it is staged by loyalists or the opposition and whether the participants are Lebanese or Syrians”, Karim said.

Berri urges government to address oil exploration next

Speaker Nabih Berri urged the government to address the issue of oil exploration and extraction next since it is a national priority, Al-Joumhouria daily reported.

Berri highlighted the need to issue the necessary decrees that will enforce the oil law as soon as possible and kick start subcontracting.

“Lebanon needs to hold talks with Cyprus to recover the 870 Km2 of its regional waters violated by Israel by virtue of the maritime borders delineation agreement concluded between Cyprus and Israel shunning Lebanon from the deal.

Berri stressed that he will spare no effort to push the oil issue forward in favor of Lebanon’s financial and economic prosperity.

PM Mikati will pay percentage of financial dues to STL

Well-informed political sources told Al-Hayat daily that Lebanon’s financial dues to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will be paid before September 27, the day PM Najib Mikati heads to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly and to chair a Security Council session during Lebanon’s month to preside over the Council.

The newspaper reported that PM Mikati is leaning towards paying a percentage of the amount due to the STL by virtue of resolution 1757, before he heads to New York. Therefore, Mikati will meet with senior foreign officials having lived up to Lebanon’s international commitments.