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.
A security report referred
to the concerned officials regarding the Nabi Sheet explosion noted that the
explosion resulted from the inflammation of a wick which led the fire to reach
a stock of old ammunition, some of which were identified as remnants from the Israeli
wars. This fact explained the series of explosions which followed causing severe damage.
Parts of the report were
leaked to
Al-Joumhouria Daily, whereby it noted that the high heat of the sun could
also have been a factor for the fast expansion of the fire.
The report added that the
security forces who examined the scene were able to take photos of the site and
the damages caused.
It was noteworthy that the
report did not mention an exact number of causalities, instead it only
pointed that there was a number of deaths and injuries, as well as material damages
reaching around 34 residential units in addition to the building where the depot
was located.
Al-Liwaa Newspaper quoted sources close to Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi
in Tripoli, as saying that his abstention from the parliamentary elections is
not merely words spread by the media; however, it is an irreversible political
position.
The sources explained that Safadi’s abstention does not mean that he will
appoint another candidate to take his place and does not mean as well that he
will quit his political work.
In this context, it was reported that Safadi’s office in Tripoli received
many phone calls asking for explanations.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed that
international officials showed interest in the Lebanese government and its way in
dealing with regional challenges, noting that they confirmed their support in
order to prevent Lebanon from falling in any security troubles and to keep it
away from the repercussion of the Syrian crisis.
In an interview with al-Akhbar daily, Mikati noted that,
during the meetings he held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General
Assembly’s session, officials were saying that “there is no clear vision of
what should be done in Syria”.
Mikati stressed that the “Lebanese government is a major
source of stability, the security forces are perfectly performing their duties and
the Lebanese Army is protected by a political cover allowing it to take
strict measures to maintain security”. He added that all the Lebanese
politicians, even if they have different positions; refuse to drag Lebanon into
chaos.
On the other hand, Mikati stressed that the next stage will
be dedicated to economic, administrative and social work. Commenting on the
work of the joint parliamentary committees on the electoral law, Mikati
confirmed his attachment to the cabinet’s project.
Al-Hayat Daily reported that a parliamentary source revealed that Lebanese
Forces leader Samir Geagea sent MP Antoine Zahra to Riyadh to meet with former
Prime Minister Saad Hariri and discuss with him the electoral law proposals,
especially the proposal presented by the Lebanese Forces, in cooperation with
the Kataeb party and MP Boutros Harb.
For its part,
Al-Liwaa Daily reported that during the Hariri-Zahra meeting,
two phone calls took place, the first one between Geagea and Hariri, whereby the
latter informed the Lebanese Forces leader that he is ready to approve the
50-districts draft law, provided that it does not lead to a clash with MP Walid
Jumblatt. In turn, Geagea stressed that March 14’s Christian parties do not aim
at creating enmity with MP Jumblatt.
Following this positive phone call, Hariri called MP Walid
Jumblatt, in the presence of MP Zahra, in order to inform him of the Lebanese
Forces decision. Sources reported that, a decision to activate contacts between
the Lebanese Forces, the Future Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party,
as well as the Kataeb party, was reached in order to find a solution over an
electoral law which satisfies all parties.
In this context, Zahra described his meeting with Hariri as positive;
stressing that Hariri’s opinion on the electoral law perfectly matched theirs.
Accordingly, he said that the alliance with the Future Movement
is steady and solid, “the Future Movement approved the electoral law we
presented to Parliament”, he pointed.