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.
House
Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Wednesday that the sub-committee emanating from
the joint parliamentary committees studying the draft elections law,
tackled the different ideas suggested in this regard, in addition to their mechanism
of action.
Berri told
Al Joumhouria Daily that he is working in parallel with the committee, adding “if
I reached a specific solution, I would inform the committee immediately”. Berri
said that if the committee manages to agree on an electoral law, "everyone would be
a winner."
Berri
pointed out that his meeting with former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora featured
high on the necessity of committing to the self-distancing policy adopted by
the Lebanese government towards the events in Syria.
On the situation
in the Bekaa in light of the results of his meeting with the region’s clans and
figures and with the beginning of the security plan’s implementation in the
region, Berri said “the LAF Command has been briefed on the results of this
meeting and the ball is now in its court; it is the one responsible for setting
the beginning date of the security plan.”
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel refused
the argument stating that the state is unable to control Roumieh prison or that
is an accomplice in the latest prison-break, considering that “the only perpetrators
are some guards who are in charge of protecting inmates.” He revealed that the
real culprits behind the escape of the three inmates are two persons at most.
Charbel told
Al Liwaa Daily on Wednesday
that some of the guards entrusted with the protection of the prison and
prisoners are corrupt, adding that most of them got their position through
nepotism.
“We are now feeling the consequences of the
previous appointments that I tried to change during my term," Charbel said.
Charbel considered that the solution to
this problem should be political, adding “mocking the dignity of soldiers and
inmates is totally unacceptable.”
The defected Syrian Brigadier-General Manaf Tlas told
Acharq Al
Awsat Daily on Wednesday that his return to Syria has been confirmed; however, the
date of his return will “depend on many factors.”
Tlas pointed out that
he supports the efforts that serve Syria in general, mainly those that aim at
uniting the opposition and increasing the armament of the Free Syrian Army in
order to create a so-called “balance of terror” on the ground.
“When everything is
ready, I will be the first one to liberate my country from this regime," he
said ,adding that real success will be achieved only when the truce proposed by international peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi becomes
permanent.
Sources told
Al Joumhouria Daily on Wednesday that Syria has
threatened to shell the Kleiat airport if it were to be reopened, fearing that
it might be used for the transfer of weapons and ammunition to the Free Syrian
Army.
Sources close to March 14 told
An-Nahar Daily on Wednesday
that contacts are expected to be resumed with National Struggle Front leader MP
Walid Jumblatt in the next few days to discuss the draft elections law based on
smaller districts in light of Saad Hariri’s agreement with Lebanese Forces
chief Samir Geagea on the electoral road map.
The sources added that MP Walid Jumblatt is still insisting
on the rejection of both the smaller districts and proportional representation
draft laws; “however, he is open to dialogue that might look into ideas to
amend the draft law and facilitate its ratification at Parliament.”