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.
Minister of Telecommunications Nicolas Sehnaoui reiterated his
rejection to reveal the content of text messages and telecommunications data.
In an interview with
Al-Akhbar newspaper Sehanoui said that after discussing the data issue
with French Ministers, they said that revealing such information is "a
crime", and added that even in countries were the data is available for
security apparatuses, legitimized information is even less than that asked for
in Lebanon.
"In Libya, before toppling the regime, available data was only
limited to the communication traffic including the whereabouts of line owners," Sehnaoui said.
Sehnaoui pointed out that he referred the demand of the Information
Branch to the Cabinet so that it would bear the responsibility of revealing such information seemingly since the Information
Branch had previously demanded the telecommunication traffic and now is
asking for the content of message.
In this context, the minister said that the demand of the ISF
Information Branch has gone beyond short messages under the pretext of
revealing criminal acts; the ISF is asking for personal information of internet
users including Facebook usernames, and passwords.
"We cannot accept such a
demand, and I doubt that the Cabinet agrees on it," Sehnaoui added.
According to
Al-Akhbar newspaper, personal data required includes those related to
the social media website Facebook which has almost 1.6 million Lebanese users.
Speaker Nabih Berri expressed his astonishment regarding the actions
taken by the government especially those related to the electoral law and
its referral to the parliament.
In this context, Berri referred to the governmental stance declared by
Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel whereby the latter said that he had initiated the
electoral preparations on the base of the 1960's law.
Speaking to
Al-Joumhouria, Berri said that Minister Charbel went beyond
the choices of the government adding that should elections not take place on the base
of the laws proposed, Ministers should inform the parliament.
"If intentions were
serious, there is still enough time to ratify a new electoral law," Berri
added.
The Speaker added that he is against extending the mandate of the
parliament and said: "some want to extend this mandate only to adopt the
1960's electoral law".
As for the government, Berri said that the cabinet cannot function in the absence of dialogue.
"They want productive work from the cabinet without sitting down on the table of
national dialogue and this is impossible," the Speaker concluded.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Adnan Mansour called various Syrian officials
to learn more details regarding the Talkalkh incident and its circumstances on the
backdrop of the death of Lebanese citizens in Syria.
Mansour said to
Al-Joumhouria that so far, information has not been made available, but contacts will continue to reveal the circumstances of the
incident.
Sources said
to
Al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday that the Chief of the sub-parliamentary committee Deputy Farid Mekari asked
the Speaker to call for holding a meeting to discuss the electoral laws at the
residence of one of March14's members.
Sources added that the Speaker
did not seem to mind the proposal, but did not give an answer since he will be discussing this issue with
his allies.
Vice President of the Kataeb
Party Leader Sejaan Azzi said that the
meeting between the Kataeb Leader Amin Gemayel and the PSP delegation was
positive.
Azzi said to
Al-Akhbar
newspaper that Gemayel supports Jumblatt's initiative and pointed out that
Gemayel discussed with the delegation the importance of communication with all
parties in the country and distancing Lebanon from regional crisis as well as
the formation of a new government within a calm atmosphere.