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.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel
noted that the security plan set up for the city of Sidon is currently under
effect, in coordination with the security and military forces and in accordance
with the decisions issued by the Higher Defense Council.
Al-Joumhouria Daily reported that Charbel
noted that the security problem is real, urging all the parties to work in
order to control the situation and put an end to any dispute that may erupt
and prevent it from expanding.
On the other hand, Charbel denied
the fact that he had met with Sheikh Ahmad Assir, pointing that he never holds
undeclared meetings. “Despite all the rumors, I did not go to Sidon to hold a
secret meeting with Assir, the people and the media must get used to telling
the truth and being honest,” Charbel added.
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri
expressed surprise towards March 14’s reaction to his call for holding a
parliamentary session in solidarity with Gaza, noting that the "political life
in this country has weakened".
Speaking to
an-Nahar Newspaper,
Berri asked a series of questions: “What crime have I committed, and what trap
have I set up for the opposition forces? Is it a crime to call for a general
parliamentary session in order to take a solidarity stance with the Palestinian
people? Is meeting in the Parliament a crime? How do they settle between
boycotting the government and Fouad Siniora calling PM Najib Mikati to discuss
Sidon’s developments? How do they speak with MP Walid Jumblatt while he is a
part of the cabinet?"
“They should learn from Kataeb
leader Amin Gemayel the rules of politics, he who has turned the commemoration
of his son’s assassination into a national occasion,” Berri said.
“I regret that I have to apologize
from the Lebanese people because I called on the parties to meet in the
Parliament,” he added.
- Mansour: Arab Foreign Ministers’ statement
not up to expectations
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan
Mansour, who is a member in the Arab delegation which is visiting Gaza on
Tuesday, stressed that the visit will deliver a message of solidarity and
support for the Palestinian people. “This is the minimum that we should do to
confront the Israeli aggression,” he said.
In an interview with
As-Safir Daily,
Mansour noted that the statement issued by the Arab Foreign Ministers was not
up to expectations, hoping on the other hand that what has been agreed upon
will not remain ink on paper, while Palestinian blood seeps endlessly.
- Sehnaoui: the cabinet will last
until the upcoming elections
Telecommunications Minister Nicolas
Sehnaoui stressed that the cabinet will continue performing its work, since
March 14 forces failed in toppling it from the street, calling on these forces to
wait for the upcoming parliamentary elections. In this context, he noted that
the 60s electoral law is unjust for the Christians, while the proportionality
law ensures fair representation and lessens confessional tension.
On the telecom data issue, Sehnaoui
told
Al-Liwaa Daily that following the assassination attempt which targeted MP
Boutros Harb, the security apparatuses received the telecom data they asked
for, upon the request of President Michel Sleiman and PM Najib Mikati.
“Accusing us of being responsible
for assassinations is only a part of their electoral campaign,” Sehnaoui said,
adding that the decision concerning the data is in the hands of the Judiciary
or the cabinet.
On the other hand, Sehnaoui said
that the funds allocated for the municipalities reached $USD 1.2 billion, and
are reserved in Banque du Liban, pointing that transferring these funds to the
municipalities requires a decision from the cabinet or the Parliament.