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.
Through an article published in the Lebanese Daily
An-Nahar Monday, Minister
of Interior Marwan Charbel announced that his ministry in collaboration with
all related ministries will raise security measures all over the country for a
time span of one month. This will manifest through increased patrols, ISF
checkpoints, and the pursuit of outlaws.
These security measures are to include monitoring hotspots, starting from Beirut, and to include Beirut’s Southern Suburbs.
Charbel added that a meeting will take place today with all related ISF and
LAF officials to lay out coordination plans. The measures are set to start on
Wednesday all over the country.
Minister Charbel reassured that these measures are partly taken to secure
the country in light of the upcoming Ramadan festivities, adding that Lebanon should
be in a state of “comfort” during times of religious ceremonies and touristic
seasons.
In a related story
Al-Joumhouria Daily stated that Charbel
will be receiving the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Jean
Kahwaji later today at his ministry. The visit aims at paying tribute to
Kahwaji within the frameworl of mutual cooperation. Among the attendees is Chief of Staff of the Lebanese Army
and members of the Military Council
alongside leaders of the security
services of the Ministry of Interior
and senior officers.
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman stated through
Al-Liwaa Daily that Monday’s
national dialogue session will kick off in accordance to previously conceded
points issued within the Baabda Declaration. Sleiman added that the issue of
the defense strategy tops the discussion list for the many; and so must be
addressed from different angles.
Separately Sleiman reiterated the need to respect all measures taken by the
LAF, especially in relation to the security of Palestinian refugee camps –
adding that failing to comply with these measures proposes high risks for the
general security of the entire country.
In an article published in today’s issue of
As-Safir,
sources close to MP Fouad Siniora stated that the March 14 camps will enter
Monday’s dialogue session armed with the following principles:
1 – Pushing for the transfer of Hezbollah’s weapons to the
command of the state with willingness to show flexibility to details.
2-
Programming previous agreements especially those pertaining to the issues of
Palestinian arms in and outside refugee camps.
3- Activating the “Baabda Declaration”
Meanwhile
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper reiterated the Lebanese
Forces’ refusal to join in the country’s national dialogue talks today vise a vise
a source close to the party.
The source added that the Lebanese Forces believes in the
effective role of March 14 within the session but refuses to join in due to
what it claims is Hezbollah’s refusal to discuss the issue of its arms.
PSP leader MP Walid Jumblat
stressed on Monday that there is no alternative to national dialogue. He went
on to criticize some members within the March 14 camp describing them as
political exaggerators. According to the
article publish in
As-Safir Daily , he asked: “what other alternatives do they hold?”
On the government, particularly Premiere Najib Mikati, Jumblat lauded the
Premiere stating that his performance is outstanding, adding that MP Michel
Aoun should lay off his case
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc Chief, MP Mohammad Raad said
Monday that the main objective of the national dialogue is to reach an
agreeable defense strategy for all parties. He added that the principles voiced
out via Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in initial sessions
have proven to be correct especially following Israel’s
onslaught against Lebanon
in 2006.
Raad stressed that those same principles were proven
correct, especially in reference to the need of adhering both the LAF and the Resistance
to the role of defense against Israel.
Through
As-Safir Raad
continued that March 14 has yet to propose any suggestions for the defense
strategy as opposed to other members of the bloc who had proposed their points
of view. He added that Hezbollah remains opens to suggestions from all Lebanese
political factions.