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.
An-Nahar
daily quoted Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani on
Wednesday as saying that he was comfortable with the atmosphere under which the
religious summit was held, adding that “Dar El Fatwa’s statement reflected
exactly what was discussed during the summit; nothing was kept secret.”
Qabbani
confirmed to the daily that there was no dispute over the national issues
tackled during the summit, adding that it was agreed to change the location of
the spiritual summit in a rotation, without setting a date for another summit
that would be held should the need arise.
A
broad spiritual Christian-Muslim summit was held Tuesday in Dar El Fatwa with
the participation of 17 religious figures including Maronite Patriarch Beshara
Rai.
An-Nahar daily quoted PM Najib Mikati on Wednesday
as saying that he will always fulfill his obligations as prime minister.
Mikati said that he does not mind going to Syria,
adding that allegations that he has particular interests there are part of the smear
campaign launched against him.
Mikati added that Lebanon and Syria share good
economic ties, calling on the international community to disassociate Lebanon
from the resolutions on Syria.
When
asked about Lebanese banks, Mikati clarified that “the banking sector is the
backbone of Lebanon and the cabinet is keen on protecting this sector against
any crisis”, adding that no Lebanese bank can take any step against the
international will.
Mikati
added that he brought up the issue of Lebanese banks during his meeting with
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and that they have both agreed on the
same approach, reassuring that Lebanese banks are in the safe zone in terms of international
sanctions.
When asked about the credibility of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), Mikati said “I am committed to international
resolutions, including resolution 1757, which established the STL, and the
agreement inked between the U.N. and Lebanon with regards to the STL”, adding
that he cannot evade the international agreement and that he will not be selective in its application.
In his concluding remarks, Mikati said that Lebanon
would be the first victim should the cabinet fail to fund the STL, and Israel
will be the biggest winner.
Al-Mustaqbal
daily published on Wednesday information from a U.S. Embassy in Beirut cable dated
13/12/2006 and posted on the Wikileaks website as
cable number 3819. According
to the daily, the cable revealed that Change and Reform Bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan
had described the speech delivered by Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
Thursday, prior to his meeting with form U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey
Feltman, as overheated.
According to Al-Mustaqbal, Kanaan said that Sayyed
Nasrallah had launched vindictive accusations during Sunday’s demonstration in
Riyad Solh Square which had deepened the division, adding that the majority of
the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) supporters dissociated themselves from the more inflammatory charges.
Al-Akhbar daily quoted well-informed sources on
Wednesday as saying that members of the intelligence branch were seen pouring
into the Adlieh telecom switch, carrying a huge number of bags.
The sources added that these bags contained
equipment that was dismantled by technicians working for the intelligence
branch, a fact confirmed by preliminary inspection carried out few days ago by the
technical committee that was formed by the telecommunication ministry in order
to identify the network and define the purpose for which it was used.
Al-Mustaqbal
daily quoted Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan on Wednesday as saying that
the Christian presence in the Middle East is reflected through their
interaction and pioneering role in communities.
Adwan asked:
“What dialogue can we hold if a certain party possesses arms from which it
derives moral strength to annul any resolution?”, confirming that the
democratic system in Lebanon would always be flawed should an armed party
exist.
Adwan
confirmed that dialogue starts with a timetable to put Hezbollah’s arms under
state control, adding that the cabinet’s perseverance today is due to the fact
that it is of “one color” and backed by Hezbollah.
On the STL
funding, Adwan said that the cabinet’s promise should come into effect.