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.
Al-Akhbar Daily reported that the US ambassador to Lebanon Mora Connelly
called for intensifying security measures at the American embassy, expressing
her fear that March 8 supporters would occupy the building.
The Daily added that the US' fears surprised the officials who discussed the
issue with Connelly and who excluded this possibility.
Accordingly, the official response was based on two levels, first, accepting
the US request to intensify security at the US embassy. Second, clarifying the
fact by excluding any possibility of attacking the embassy, noting that March 8
forces, mainly Hezbollah, participate in the cabinet and find no political
interest in attacking the US embassy or else.
As for the Salafist organizations, their gravity could not be denied;
however, groups which have been denouncing the anti-Islam film and Pope
Benedict XVI’s visit to Lebanon are still incapable of implementing such a
security act, limiting their action in the North.
- Pope’s visit: values are more important than politics
A top source said that the speech delivered by Pope Benedict XVI from
Beirut International airport reflects the visit’s spirit, noting that anyone
who expects positions that come out of the Vatican context will be disappointed.
The source stressed, in a statement to As-Safir newspaper, the importance of
the Pope’s visit, pointing out that “it shows the world that the Middle East,
especially Lebanon, is in the Pope’s heart”.
- Berri: We did not receive calls from Lebanese Forces on small districts
proposal
Answering a question on whether it is possible that the Christians
agree on an electoral law, Speaker Nabih Berri said: “Let them reach an agreement,
I will not stand in the way of what they will agree upon”.
In an interview with An-Nahar Daily, Berri denied receiving any calls from
the Lebanese Forces regarding the small districts proposal.
- International signals keep cabinet until Syrian situation
calms
Sources told Al-Joumhouria Daily that several meetings were
held away from the media, between Haret Hreik, Verdun, Ain al-Tineh and Rabieyh,
considering that Hezbollah is the most affected by the fall of the cabinet. In this
regard, Hezbollah Secretary General appointed his political assistant Hajj
Hussein Khalil to meet with PM Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri and head of
Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun in order to facilitate the work of
cabinet and prevent it from falling “no matter the circumstances”.
The sources stressed that this support given by March 8
forces, mainly Hezbollah, for the cabinet is not what preventing the cabinet from falling;
instead, there are signals stating that international cover helped Mikati’s
cabinet during the current conditions, given that it will not be easy to form a
new cabinet during the challenging circumstances in Lebanon and Syria.
According to the same sources, the way the international
community, mainly Paris and Washington, deals with the Lebanese government will
remain as it is within the diplomatic framework, away from political and financial
support given to previous cabinets.