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.
LF Chief Samir Geagea told the Saudi newspaper
Al-Watan that Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan was assassinated for revealing Former Minister Michel Samaha's involvement in a bomb plot planned by Syria. Geagea directly accused Assad's regime and Iran in the assassination case and said that Hezbollah executed it.
Geagea stressed that "the late General has provoked Iran, Syria and Hezbollah when he controlled their security violations, thus becoming a target."
Geagea accused some Lebanese security apparatuses and officials working for Hezbollah as well, stating that they were implementing Syrian-Iranian plans.
A Western diplomat told
Al Joumhouria Daily that despite US and foreign countries' decision in removing Assad's regime, the Syrian crisis will not end soon, stressing that Syria may witness a transitional phase.
According to the diplomat, 18 Lebanese political figures are assassination targets and their moves are being closely observed by the murderers, emphasizing that March 14 candidates that may run for presidency are in grave danger.
The diplomat informed concerned Lebanese politicians and advised extraordinary security measures.
As Safir Daily published on Thursday that US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly informed President Michel Sleiman during their meeting on Wednesday that the US does not want a political vacuum in Lebanon and therefore is supporting Mikati's cabinet, stressing that the formation of a new government is an internal issue that concerns only the Lebanese.
In this context, diplomatic sources told the newspaper that Connelly informed Sleiman that the Lebanese Army may receive sophisticated US military weapons before the 22nd of November.
Future Movement's military official retired Colonel Amid Hammoud told
Al Akhbar Daily that a strategy is being created to arm the Sunnites against Hezbollah, stressing that "reinforcing the Sunni power is a legitimate duty and fighting against the Syrian regime is an honor."
Hammoud revealed that he's been visiting several regions in Lebanon where the majority of the residents are Sunnites.
The retired colonel added that he had received a phone call from Former PM Saad Hariri who asked him to be in charge of "Ansar Al Mustakbal" (the armed forces in the Future Movement).
The newspaper said that Hammoud's security convoy includes several vehicles and gunmen, emphasizing that Hammoud's name is mentioned in several official security reports and that he's been arming and training Sunni men to fight in Syria against Assad's regime.
According to the newspaper, Hammoud is maintaining regional relations to protect this project.
Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Mikati told
As Safir Newspaper that the US' position supporting the Lebanese cabinet is "normal" due to the current circumstances.
"US diplomats are stressing that they do not want political void in Lebanon," the sources added.
According to the sources, the US will only support the formation of a new cabinet if it's done in a very short period, emphasizing that the cabinet assures a constitutional cover for the security forces.