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.
In an interview with
As-Safir Daily,
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stated that security situations between Lebanon and
France are different. Therefore, the two cannot be compared.
Charbel said that for the moment,
the telecommunication data is irreplaceable, stressing that the security apparatuses
should always have access to this data. However, Charbel clarified that the
data access should be granted for specified periods and must respect the
citizens’ privacy. “Some red lines cannot be crossed,” he added.
According to the minister, the controversial
data issue which is a conflict subject between political parties, had negative influences on the security in Lebanon.
“The telecommunication data lost 90%
of its security value since criminals, except ‘fools’, became more cautious
when making phone calls,” he affirmed.
Sources told
Al Akhbar Daily that Finance
Minister Mohammad Safadi that the minister’s abstention from running for the upcoming
parliamentary elections was expected.
The sources added that Safadi was
intending to run for the 2009 elections, but people close to him convinced him not to.
According to the same sources,
Safadi’s entourage had knowledge of his intention to abstain from running for the upcoming elections, and the
minister was waiting for the right moment to announce it.
The newspaper questioned Safadi’s
decision, its timing and the reasons behind it. It alluded that the decision
might be a message for Prime Minister Najib Mikati with circulating
information reporting that there is tension between the two.
As-Safir Daily reported on Thursday
that Palestinian leaders in Lebanon described the participation of some Palestinian
Islamist militants in the Syrian revolution as a personal initiative.
The leaders added that these
militants are leaving to Syria because they have extreme Jihadist beliefs and
that the situation in the refugee’s camps is stable, stressing that the number
of Jihadists is augmenting.
Head of Private Schools Teachers Syndicate in Lebanon, Nehmat Mahfouz said to
Al Joumhouria
Daily that the academic year will be interrupted if the ranks and salaries
scale will not be referred to the parliament within the upcoming 3 weeks.
Mahfouz added that demonstrations will start
next Wednesday, stressing that more than 6000 demonstrators will participate in
these manifestations, among them teachers, employees, military men and
children.
Mahfouz stated that if the cabinet cannot
assume its responsibilities, it better resign. “The cabinet that endorsed the ranks
and salaries scale, must be able to finance the project”, he affirmed.
March 14 sources told
Al Joumhouria Daily that the explosion
which occurred in Hezbollah’s weapons repository in Nabi Sheet area is a reconfirmation that Hezbollah’s arsenal poses a threat to civil peace in Lebanon.
The sources added that the timing of the explosion coincides with
Hezbollah’s official announcement of “Abou Abbas'" funeral who reportedly died in
Syria’s clashes, stressing that the Shiite party intended to prove the “massive
power “of its arms.