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.
Premiere
Najib Mikati denied the existence of any confusion in dealing with the series
of ranks and salaries and pointed out that the cabinet is handling this issue
with high responsibility not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of its
subsequent implications on the future of the Lebanese economy.
Mikati said
to
As-Safir newspaper that the Cabinet is lingering on this issue seemingly
since the economic situation does not bear a new crisis.
In this
context, Mikati expected that increasing the investments should cover most of the pay
scale cost and will eventually stimulate the economic developmental factors.
"We
understand the demands of some sectors and we are seeking compromising formulas,
but some are betting on toppling the government through the economy," Mikati concluded.
Sources said
to
Al-Akhbar newspaper that the cabinet will not approve on Wednesday the
request of the Information Branch of the Directorate General of the Internal Security
Forces to obtain the content of short text messages.
Sources added that the majority of ministers consider this demand a violation of
all laws and resolutions put in force regarding citizens' privacy.
Health
Minister Ali Hassan Khalil questioned on Tuesday the issue of keeping Tripoli "at a distance" from the state's authority pointing out that the many of the city's residents welcomed the
deployment of the LAF in the region.
"Dealing
with Tripoli's political crisis must be taken seriously," he added.
Minister
Hassan Khalil said to
Al-Joumhouria that the country is facing a real challenge
seemingly since the army deployed its forces for the first time in such a
critical area.
"The plan adopted by the LAF should not go
down because it is Tripoli's last chance," he concluded.
Youth and Sports' Minister Faysal Karami said that since the
formation of the
government dozens of people were killed and about 500 others
were wounded in Tripoli.
Karami added that recent clashes between Jabal Mohsen and Bab el-Tabbaneh
have become a "real war" whereby heavy artillery and mortar shells
are being used .
Karami said to
Al-Joumhouria that talking about a reconciliation may not take
place so long as tension prevails in Syria and added that controlling the
security situation in Tripoli and starting developmental projects in the city,
previously approved by the cabinet, are measures that should be taken.
Sources close
to March14 said to
Al-Akhbar Daily that discussions are underway between the components of March14
to discuss the pros and cons of developing a relation with the Syrian
opposition seemingly since these forces admitted to recognizing the Syrian National
Coalition led by Maaz Khatib.
Sources added
that negotiations are mainly rotating around the possibility of communicating
with this coalition or sustaining from it at the mean time due to the recent
internal developments.