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.
Security sources stressed that the ISF’s Information Division dealt with former
Minister Michel Samaha's arrest as a terrorist, not as a former minister and MP, noting
that he was directly arrested to prevent him from implementing “his plan”.
The sources told
al-Anbaa Daily that the charges of the Public Prosecution confirm
the precision of information published by the media regarding the case.
It was also reported that thousands of documents and reports were seized from
Samaha’s house and office which have much to reveal.
The Lebanese Parliament Speaker said that
March 14 forces deal with the dialogue and President Michel Sleiman in an
insulting manner, noting that “the dialogue should not remain dependent on the "mood
of these parties”. He added that President Sleiman should not wait until a few
days before the date set for the next dialogue session in order to know whether
or not the opposition will participate.
In an interview with
As-Safir Daily, Berri
said that this way of dealing with an important matter such as the national
dialogue is unacceptable, “in case March 14 decided to send a representative or
two to participate in the dialogue, I will refuse to participate”, Berri stated.
Berri noted that the electoral law approved
by the cabinet is much better than that of the 60’s law, stressing that this issue is
very critical and will determine the size of each political party for the
coming years.
Sources close to the dialogue committee told
al-Joumhouria newspaper that the final decisions to continue boycotting the
dialogue have not yet been taken, awaiting the results of the meeting between President
Michel Sleiman and head of the Future Movement Fouad Siniora, as well as
discussions between representatives of March 14.
Sources close to the opposition stressed that these forces
are in the process of preparing a new electoral law, different from the one
approved by the cabinet.
In a statement to
al-Akhbar Daily, the sources pointed that
the last project cannot be modified the way it was drafted.
The same sources said that MP Sleiman Frangieh seems to be
rejecting the draft law, adding that members of Bkerke's committee proposed the
project of small constituencies, which seems to be more likely to be considered
among March 14 forces.
"Lebanon First" MP Hady Hbeish
said that the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador is the least "we can do these
days", calling for taking the necessary measures against him and against the
"crimes his country is committing in Lebanon".
In an interview with
al-Joumhouria Daily, Hbeish said that the failure of former Minister Michel
Samaha’s plan to create strife and commit explosions in the North does not mean
that it is over. He added that there is a Special Tribunal for Lebanon that
deals with terrorist crimes.