Press Digest for Wednesday September 14, 2011

6^min

Wikileaks: Mikati warned against Aoun’s popularity

Al-Mustaqbal daily quoted cable 443 issued by the U.S. Embassy to Lebanon on April 16, 2009 and subsequently released by Wikileaks as saying that PM Najib Mikati decided to compromise and join former PM Saad Hariri’s electoral list in Tripoli. The cable added that Mikati’s move was based on his predictions that Hariri was about to win the parliamentary elections in Tripoli, warning against the popularity of Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun.

According to the cable, Mikati announced his and President Michel Sleiman’s rejection of the “blocking third” during the formation of the government.

The cable conveyed Mikati’s stance regarding the developments in Egypt following reports of the involvement of Hezbollah members in a bombing, as discussed during a meeting between the then-U.S. Ambassador Michel Sisson and Mikati on April 14, 2009. Although Mikati endorsed the Egyptian plan to try the members, he opposed the decision that Interpol should issue an arrest warrant for Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, according to the cable.

The daily added that during the meeting, Mikati praised the maturity of Syrian President Bashar Assad from the moment he took the reins.

Jumblatt: I did not understand Raad’s intention

The Head of the National Struggle Front Walid Jumblatt responded to the attempts by the March 8 coalition to slander his weekly column in Al-Anbaa daily by saying that his remarks are only a reminder of the agreement reached during the sessions of the national dialogue rather than a realignment.

Speaking on the remarks made by Loyalty to the Resistance MP Mohammad Raad following his meeting with former President Emil Lahoud, by saying: “Let us wait and see how Jumblatt’s positions will crystalize”, Jumblatt said that he did not understand the intention behind Raad’s remarks.

Regarding reports made by former Information Minister Michel Samaha that communication lines are restored between Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman and Jumblatt, the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader said: “I did not hear Samaha’s remarks and I believe that he is better acquainted with China’s affairs.”

Al-Liwaa: Jumblatt’s remarks spark Hezbollah dismay

Ministerial sources told Al-Liwaa daily that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah sent State Minister Mohammad Fneish and MP Ali Ammar to meet with PM Najib Mikati and convey a message regarding the party’s dismay over the latest stance taken by MP Walid Jumbaltt.

The sources reported that Hezbollah considers that Jumblatt’s stances breach his 2009 promise to Hezbollah and do not live up to the political statement of PM Najib Mikati’s cabinet.

Hezbollah also regards Jumblatt’s remarks regarding its weapons as an attempt to undermine the current cabinet. Al- Liwaa reported that Mikati informed Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, who also visited him, of his meeting with Nasrallah’s two envoys. Subsequently, Abou Faour met with Speaker Nabih Berri to convey to him Jumblatt’s discontent over former Minister Michel Samaha’s remarks since “he is more acquainted with China’s affairs”.

Bishop Matar to Al-Mustaqbal: Rai’s statements are clear

Maronite Archbishop of Beirut, Bishop Boulos Matar told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the remarks made by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai in France are clear, and it was the media’s responsibility to unambiguously convey Rai’s answers to the questions posed.

The daily added that Bishop Matar called for careful consideration to avoid misinterpreting Rai’s statement, saying that Muslims and Christians alike reject fundamentalism.

Speaking on remarks made by the Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt, Matar said: “Jumblatt did not criticize Rai, rather he put forth his own opinion”, adding that all the points of view presented help clarify the whole picture.

The daily also quoted Bishop Matar as saying: “An open dialogue amongst the Lebanese will lead to a deeper understanding and joint talks will be beneficial to all parties.”

Ghosn: Weakening Mikati’s cabinet not in Syria’s best interest

Well-informed sources told As-Safir daily that Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s latest visit to Damascus led to an agreement according to which both the Lebanese and Syrian armies will be in charge of boosting mutual cooperation that will improve on-the-ground operations, promote border control and curb weapons smuggling attempts.

As-Safir learned that senior Syrian officials, including President Bashar Assad, promised Ghosn that Syria will back the current government.

The sources stressed that Assad told his guest that weakening PM Mikati’s cabinet contradicts Syria’s interests, adding that his country will endorse any decision that aims at strengthening the Lebanese state’s institutions.