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 said that the path
taken by the opposition parties will not lead to a “secure ending”, Berri’s
visitors told
An-Nahar Daily on Wednesday. He considered that hindering
national dialogue will not benefit the country.
Berri was quoted by his visitors as saying
that the chaos that prevailed in the streets and neighborhoods of Beirut and other regions
a few days ago was "tragic".
Berri said that March 14 should have taken the good qualities
of March 8 and vice versa, “but unfortunately the opposition has lately taken
all of March 8’s bad qualities and more.”
In response to the opposition’s boycott of
any dialogue, parliamentary or cabinet session, Berri said that in these
circumstances, the government must double its efforts and follow up on the
Lebanese people’s daily lives and living conditions, regardless of the approach
adopted by the opposition.
National Struggle Front leader MP Walid
Jumblatt told
An-Nahar Daily on Wednesday that he refuses that the country plunge
into political void.
On the call for the formation of a new
government, Jumblatt said “Personally, I am ready if appropriate conditions are
met; but this decision must be taken by the different Lebanese parties.”
Sources close to Jumblatt had quoted him as
saying that calling for a new government before securing a local and regional
cover would be very dangerous, adding “the decision to boycott dialogue before
toppling the government must be reconsidered since it is not politically wise.”
In this regard, Jumblatt is expected to appear
on LBCI’s
Kalam Ennas talk show on Thursday night to discuss the latest
developments.
Al Akhbar Daily reported on Wednesday that
the American and European diplomatic meetings and contacts intensified
yesterday with March 14 leaders, in a bid to look into the road map they are
preparing in the context of their call for the government’s resignation.
March 14 sources told
Al-Akhbar Daily that
this diplomatic movement sought to clarify the stances of the concerned foreign governments
regarding the fate of PM Najib Mikati’s cabinet and its link to
stability in Lebanon.
The same
sources said that these countries’ diplomatic figures strongly condemned the
incidents that swept through Riad El Solh Square, stressing that they are keen on
preventing chaos in the streets. They heard confirmations that March 14 forces
were not responsible for this chaos and were not planning on breaking into the
Grand Serail.
In this
context, sources told
Al-Akhbar newspaper that a tumultuous meeting was held
between U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly and Lebanese Forces Chief
Samir Geagea.
Geagea reportedly blamed her for not making the distinction
between the words “government” and “administration”, considering that this does
not serve the interest of the country’s “sovereign party.” He also reproached her for not heeding the invitation of March 14 to
attend the funeral of late Maj. Gen. Wissam Hassan.
- Angry crowds did not bother waiting for the Fatiha
to be read before attacking the Serail
Al-Akhbar Daily reported on Wednesday that
the impression prevailing in Tripoli is that Prime Minister Najib Mikati
grasped the opposition’s call for his resignation and that by trying to break into
the Grand Serail, the opposition made a “huge mistake” which has provided a
great service to Mikati.
Sources close to Mikati considered that the
other party made “fatal mistakes towards themselves and the nation."
The sources counted the mistakes committed by
the opposition who “used the martyrs’ blood for political purposes”; “the
crowds did not even bother waiting for the Fatiha to be read for the soul of the deceased prior to attacking the Serail; the situation soon spun out of control in the
streets of Beirut, Tripoli, Saida and other regions.”
- Berri was due to convey great news to
the Lebanese, but …
An-Nahar Daily reported on Wednesday that
House Speaker Nabih Berri was expected to make a speech during the ceremony
held by the Islamic Association for Specialization and Scientific Guidance last
Friday, but the ceremony was canceled due to the assassination of Major
General Wissam Hassan.
Berri had told his visitors that he was expected
to convey “great news” to the Lebanese people, without giving further
details.