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.
Al Akhbar Daily published on Thursday that the long awaited project of electricity-generating ships will finally be executed after the Lebanese state has paid the Turkish company the rental fees of two ships.
In this context, sources reported to the newspaper that the Ministry of Finance has transferred the necessary amount to the Electricite du Liban on the 7th of November 2012, whereby the money was transferred yesterday to the Turkish company after the procedures were finalized in the Central Bank.
It is worth noting that once the ships start providing power, both the Zouk and Jiyye power plants will be rehabilitated without making any changes to the current schedule of power supply, which will later allow the increase in their productivity.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said in an interview with
As Safir Daily that the telecommunications and SMS data conflict is caused by a crisis of confidence between two Lebanese parties, stressing that the security apparatuses are paying the price of this mistrust.
In this context, Charbel called for separating politics from security, revealing that the Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehanoui and himself could allow advanced measures, other than the ones approved by the cabinet, if necessary.
On the electoral law issue, Charbel stated that he is preparing for the upcoming elections according to the current law as long as a new law is not ratified, emphasizing that the committee in charge of supervising the elections will soon be formed and that preparations are being made to allow the Lebanese expatriates to participate in the 2013 vote.
Sources following the case of the Lebanese pilgrims detained in Syria’s Aazaz reported to
Al Joumhouria Daily that the arrest warrants issued by the Syrian state against Former PM Saad Hariri and MP Okab Sakr has negatively influenced the case.
The sources added “the negotiations to release the pilgrims would’ve been fruitful after Hariri provided the Syrian rebels with humanitarian aid with the help of Sakr however were hindered following the issuance of the arrest warrants.”
According to the sources, the rebels have changed their minds once some Lebanese media institutions published recordings of MP Sakr's phone calls.
Security sources reported to
Al Akhbar daily that the death threats targeting the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar are related to fraudulent deals related to real estate in Raes Sakher area sold by his son to Syrian nationals close to the Assad regime.
The sources added that the buyer realized after concluding the deal that the properties do not exist and that the real estate documents were forged, stressing that Shaar has previously received security threats that remain undisclosed.
Al Joumhouria Daily published on Thursday that the Coordinator of March 14's General Secretariat visited Bekfaya on Wednesday whereby he met with Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel and his deputy Sejaan Azzi.
The newspaper added that two meetings were previously held between Azzi and the general secretariat presided by Soueid, during which the parties agreed on a briefed worksheet and later informed MP Sami Gemayel about the results.
According to
Al Joumhouria, the worksheet includes enhancing the cooperation and dialogue between March 14 parties as well as the role of the Kataeb and the general secretariat.