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.
Sources close to the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman told
An-Nahar Daily
on Friday that since the last session of the national dialogue, Suleiman has been
exerting assiduous efforts to prepare for the next session, adding that,
through meetings with the 17 members of the dialogue committee, he is trying to set
a framework for the weapons’ use and command before Monday’s session. According to the same sources, the defense strategy
will be the first item on the agenda of the upcoming session.
Presidential sources stated that by communicating with all
political leaders, Sleiman came to the conclusion which affirms the effectiveness of dialogue in regards to reaching common grounds, which in turn will set a
framework for the weapons’ use and command.
The sources said that Suleiman is expected to meet with all
17 members of the dialogue committee before Monday, adding that he will meet other
figures in the next few days to discuss the dialogue session’s
program as well as the first item pertaining to the defense strategy. “Through
these consultations, he will be able to include shared ideas in a framework
that is acceptable and agreed upon by all parties, such as the Baabda Declaration”,
the sources concluded.
Bkerke will witness today another “Christian dialogue” as
Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai will meet with a delegation of March 14's Christians.
An-Nahar daily reported on Friday that there was a change on Thursday in the composition of the delegation going to Bkerke as it was joined by
Kataeb leader Amine Gemayel, upon Rai’s request. The delegation is also
expected to include MPs Boutros Harb, MP Setrida Geagea, and former MPs Nayla
Mouawad, Fares Souaid, Kamil Ziade and Sheikh Michel al-Khoury.
Well-informed sources revealed that the delegation will hand
Patriarch Rai a memorandum including the perception of a large Christian group regarding Bkerke’s historical role and principles. The same sources said that the decision to call the
Patriarch and organize this meeting was taken after divergent points of
view emerged within the Maronite community on Bkerke's previous stances that "revealed its affiliation" following
the appointment of Rai.
In this regard, sources told
Al-Liwaa daily on Friday that
consultations and phone calls have been taking place between Meerab and Bkerke to
prepare for this visit. Both parties made sure these consultations are kept
away from the media in order to guarantee the success of this visit and and turn the
page on past quarrels.
A recent meeting of officials concerned with the Syrian crisis was
convened at the Home of the Royal Institute of
International Affairs, Chatham House in London. The meeting determined 3
possible scenarios that could happen in Syria: the
intensification of diplomatic efforts leading to a political solution to the
crisis, the armament of rebels leading to the escalation of military confrontation and the launching of a civil war.
In this regard, the
Lebanese researcher at Chatham House, Nadim Shehadeh told
An-Nahar daily on
Friday that the international community has no political will to intervene in Syria; "this conviction is
based on the lessons drawn from the Iraqi experience." He added that Annan’s plan
will remain on the table so long as there is no alternative, like in the case of the “road
map” and the Quartet.
Shehadeh said that
there is a shared agreement that establishing humanitarian corridors and buffer zones,
and sending international monitoring missions require protection and military support.
On Lebanon, Shehadeh said "this country acquired an immunity against civil war", adding that if
there was a possibility for the war to erupt, it would have erupted years ago.
National
Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt said that he is staying in the government
until further notice, criticizing the call by some political parties in March
14 which call for the government's resignation.
Jumblatt
told
Al-Joumhouria on Friday that toppling the government in light of the current
circumstances will lead to security and political chaos, wondering “what
are the magical solutions they propose? Or do they have a new constitutional
declaration that could magically solve the country’s crisis?" he said.
On Syria, Jumblatt said that international
inaction and reluctance exacerbate ruin in Syria and encourage the
Syrian regime to be more destructive day after day. Jumblatt voiced his regret
that Syria has now become under the mercy of Super Powers.
According to the same newspaper, Jumblatt mockingly said that it would be environmentally
beneficial to transfer the Syrian President to a more convenient
place; “it could be Moscow, the Ural Mountains, Tehran, Kavir Desert or Loot Desert; Perhaps this could heal the mental diseases that some
leaders suffer from, instead of waiting for climate change to save the Syrian people”.