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 top security source described a number of media campaigns launched against
lateBrig. Gen. Wissam Hassan as “disgusting”, especially the ones related to
fabricated lies about his personal life, noting that these campaigns are
categorized as a “second assassination”.
The source told
Al-Joumhouria Daily that the Information Branch did not
summon Maria Maalouf for investigation, contrary to the lies spread in this
regard, noting that Hassan had a wide network of contacts including
journalists.
In this context, the same source denied the lies related to the role played
by Milad Kfoury in exposing Brig. Gen. Hassan, pointing that Kfoury never
visited or knew the location of the security apartment used by Hassan. The
source added that the focus accorded to Kfoury in this case proves that there
is a party trying to get back at him for revealing the Samaha-Mamlouk plot.
Al-Akhbar Daily reported that a meeting was held between Kataeb party leader
Amin Gemayel and PM Najib Mikati at the residence of Mikati’s brother a day ahead of March 14’s meeting held at former PM Saad Hariri’s house in Beit
al-Wasat.
The newspaper revealed that Gemayel criticized his allies’ acts following the
assassination of Brig. Gen. Wissam Hassan.
- Hollande in a brief visit to Lebanon on Sunday
As-Safir Daily reported that French President Francois Hollande will
come to Lebanon on Sunday in a three-hour visit, where he will hold a bilateral
summit with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sleiman, followed by an extended
meeting and a joint press conference. Hollande is expected to arrive on Sunday
morning to Lebanon coming from Saudi Arabia, and leave around noon.
A knowledgeable diplomatic source told
As-Safir that visiting Lebanon amid
this critical situation both in the country and the region is evident of international concern towards Beirut to safeguard it from the
repercussions imposed by regional incidents.
The source noted that this visit shows France’s strong and permanent solidarity
with Lebanon and stresses France’s support for the Lebanese Constitutional
institutions, the positions taken by President Sleiman and the efforts he is
deploying in an attempt to hold a national dialogue between all parties.
Al-Akhbar Newspaper reported that PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt received,
during the past few days, two important phone calls. The first took place
two weeks ago, following the assassination of Wissam Hassan and was allegedly from former
Syrian vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam. The second took place last
a week ago and was from Hezbollah’s official Wafik Safa who was congratulating him on
the occasion of Eid al-Adha, on the behalf of the party’s Secretary General Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah.
The Daily quoted well-informed sources as saying that Khaddam asked Jumblatt about the reasons of the latter’s pessimism towards the
Syrian developments, to which Jumblatt replied that “he is not pessimist, but
the facts show that the Western States and the International Community gave up
on Syria, even Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who now believe that every one will fall before Assad does.”
Following discussions in this matter, Jumblatt said that “the Syrian people
were abandoned and will have to determine their own fate, while President
Bashar Assad will continue committing massacres without anyone stopping him. The
situation in Lebanon cannot bear anymore misdemeanors,” he added.
“What I want from you ‘Walid Bek’ is to refrain from changing your positions
on Syria," Khaddam said.
Jumblatt replied: “I have to change my positions on Syria and Bashar Assad.”
In this context, the newspaper noted that the last reply made by Jumblatt
proves that he will not change the hostile attitude he has taken towards the
Syrian regime.
An-Nahar Daily mentioned in an article that Lebanese Speaker
Nabih Berri sent an SMS, via one of his assistants, to former MP Fares Soueid
on Thursday with the following text: “Urgent appeal: needed a coordinator for
the Secretariat General of March 8. A photograph, less than a week old, is
required.”
Soueid replied: “I am honored to take this position, but I await the Syrian revolution’s victory for now.”