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.
Sources close to the negotiations concerning the release of the Lebanese
hostages in Syria stated through an An-Nahar Lebanese Daily that they had underestimated Abou Ibrahim’s statements on closing
the case and "forgetting the nine remaining
hostages”, following the release of Hussein Omar and Awad Ibrahim.
The sources admitted the case's elevating complexity, but remain optimistic regarding next week’s negotiation, according to the article.
In this context, the newspaper reported that the remarkable event was Abou
Ibrahim’s request from one of the journalists to make contacts with Hezbollah
to set a date for negotiations away from the media. Hezbollah replied to Abou
Ibrahim through the journalist, asking him about his demands.
According to the daily, Abou Ibrahim revealed his demands which include
financial requests and assistance to the residents.of Aazaz. Once the demands are met,
Abou Ibrahim will release the nine Lebanese hostages, held near the
Syrian-Turkish borders.
As-Safir Daily reported that a meeting was held between a former
member of the Lebanese government and a president of a Gulf state, following
the request of the latter. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments
regarding the Syrian crisis, where a political solution became inevitable,
according to a diplomatic report.
According to the daily, the report said that the gulf
official doubts the Lebanese parliamentary elections would take place as
scheduled, referring to the fact that it is impossible for the Lebanese parties
to reach consensus over a new electoral law and to keep the 60s law.
In the aforementioned meeting, the gulf official told his
Lebanese guest: “Since the results of the parliamentary elections will lead to
the same current situation, no need to hold the elections which will cost a hefty amount of money, amid an unstable regional situation. Therefore, we are
convinced that the current parliament can extend its mandate”.
However, the gulf official said that the presidential
elections are inevitable, refusing to give specific names of the candidates
(but indirectly referring to LAF Chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, and Banque du Liban
governor Riyad Salameh).
According to the diplomatic report, the gulf officials and
sources seem discouraged by nominating Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea for
presidency.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati denied the presence of
Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon, stressing that he received
confirmation that the controversial statement took place in the past and it
was meant to refer to the Revolutionary Guards in Syria, without mentioning
Lebanon.
In an interview with
al-Hayat Daily in New York, Mikati
stressed that Lebanon will not be a passage for other sides to cross into
Syria, calling for an honest Arab role to end the bloodshed in the country. “We
distance ourselves from interfering in Syrian affairs, however we will not distance
ourselves from attacks coming from Syria and targeting Lebanon”, Mikati noted,
adding that the Lebanese Army has the necessary plans to protect Lebanese
territory.
In this context, Mikati recalled the “Baabda Declaration”,
whereby all Lebanese parties are committed to distance Lebanon from conflicts
with a third party in the region.
- Gemayel: The Church will
bless the smaller districts law
Kataeb party leader stressed
that he did not regret participating in the dialogue, noting that continuation
of the national talks will help Lebanon reach a regional and international stage allowing
it to reestablish its institutions in order to preserve the country’s future.
Speaking of the defense
strategy presented by President Michel Sleiman, Gemayel told
al-Joumhouria that the president’s
initiatives were “good”; pointing that “he still has to prepare a coherent
conclusion”.
On the electoral law, Amine Gemayel said that the draft law, concerning the smaller districts proposal, agreed
upon by March 14 parties, is an important achievement, stressing that this law
aims at promoting democratic practices.
Gemayel confirmed that this
project is close to the one reached during the Bkerke covention, noting that the
church will bless the smaller districts draft law.