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.
Two people
were killed and 10 injured in Tripoli on Wednesday following the announcement
of a ceasefire and despite the heavy deployment of army along the line separating
between Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.
In this
context,
An-Nahar Daily quoted sources that took part in PM Najib Mikati’s security
meetings as saying that the participants reiterated the full support of the
army and its leadership. The meeting also highlighted the importance of
granting the LAF full power to take necessary measures in order to restore
order to Tripoli and lift the cover off agitators, the sources added.
The daily
added that the meeting held between President Michel Sleiman and Najib Mikati
discussed latest developments on the eve of the president’s vacation.
The upcoming cabinet session will take place September 1st
in order to leave room for the ministers
to take a vacation before resuming the ministerial work.
Al-Mustaqbal Daily learned that the Head of the
Arab Democratic Party, Refaat Eid is receiving direct orders from Syrian Colonel
Hafez Mahfouz, the aide of Ali Mamlouk, to carry out further explosions in
Tripoli.
Wednesday’s contentious news introduction of each
of al-Jadeed and LBCI attacked the state and National Media Council which is preparing
for a meeting to be held on Friday.
In this context,
Al-Akhbar Daily reported that,
these companies were asked on Tuesday to hand over tapes and media records related
to their coverage of the case of the 11 Lebanese hostages to issue the
appropriate recommendations after examination.
Accordingly, the recommendations will be submitted
to Information Minister Walid Daouk who will in turn refer them to the cabinet.
Commenting on this issue, LBCI chairman Pierre
Daher said: “let them hold responsible the cameras that shot the reality”,
adding “But tell me first which security apparatus will handle the
accountability?”
Commenting on LBCI’s recent coverage of this issue,
Daher attributed the professional mistakes, especially with regards to the
circulation of the alleged death of the 11 hostages, to official sources that “have
caused this inconsistency”.
Foreign
Minister Adnan Mansour told
Al-Joumhouria Daily that demanding the expulsion of
the Syrian ambassador contravenes the diplomatic principles and applicable
treaties.
Mansour
confirmed that nothing so far requires the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador or
even recalling the Lebanese ambassador to Syria.
The
issue of Lebanese hostages in Syria has entered its fourth month without a
serious breakthrough to put an end to the ordeal of the 11 pilgrims.
In
this context,
An-Nahar Daily reported that, during his meeting with the Vice
President of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, Turkish
Ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozyildiz was blamed and reproached for Turkey’s procrastination
in releasing the Lebanese visitors despite being “under the operational control
of Turkey”.
According to the daily, the Turkish ambassador
denied these allegations but Sheikh Qabalan insisted that Turkey was capable of
releasing the hostages.