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.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati
told
As-Safir Daily that, even though his cabinet has not been able to reach
important goals during this difficult stage, it succeeded in preventing others
from setting goals against Lebanon, thanks to a strong defense line constituted
by main forces in Lebanon and important players from the International Community, as he said.
He noted that "the government was able to preserve minimum stability amid
maximum regional tension."
On the other hand, Mikati pointed that
it is normal that the majority would not easily meet the demands of the opposition regarding their call for resignation. “Does March 14 camp really think that the current majority is ‘Santa
Claus’ who offers political gifts? In case they were in power, would they accept
free resignation?” Mikati asked.
However, the PM noted that it is shameful
to hold the parliamentary elections according to the 60s electoral law, hoping
that the "centralists would be able to form an important parliamentary bloc which
will break the walls between March 8 and 14."
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih
Berri stressed, in a statement to
Al-Joumhouria, that he is still awaiting a response from March 14 regarding the bloc's decision on their next step, after sending them
the reports issued following the meetings held by the joint parliamentary
committees and the sub-committee last Friday.
In this context, the reports show
that the sub-committee was expected to discuss two issues: the electoral system
and the number of electoral districts; and was requested to resume its meetings
at the parliament until it further notice.
- US set up gas map to mediate between Lebanon and Israel
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy at the US Department of State, Amos Hochstein unveiled the
mediation which the US administration is preparing to solve the economic waters
crisis between Lebanon and Israel, concerning the gas reserves in the Mediterranean
Sea.
Accordingly, Hochstein
noted that Washington is mediating between both countries, and had presented
maritime borders proposal that commit to the International laws and treaties,
stressing that the US had handed over to Lebanon and Israel a map that includes
a solution for the current crisis.
In this context,
well-informed Lebanese sources told
As-Safir Daily that the US proposal is still
under discussion and negotiation, noting that the proposed solution gives
Lebanon two-thirds of its right in the economic zone.
The sources explained
that the committee in charge of the issue of the maritime borders had looked
into the aforementioned proposal and presented its remarks to the cabinet;
stressing that the cabinet will not accept any formula that offers less than
the full economic zone.
- Ahmadinejad to present plan to divide Syria in Baghdad
Al-Mustaqbal Newspaper reported that the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be visiting Baghdad on Thursday where he will
present many ideas, one of which a plan to divide Syria through the deployment
of International forces, where Iraq will be in charge of proposing these ideas
to the US and the European Union in exchange of “inducements” offered by
Teheran.
A source told the daily that the Iranian
President has a certain perspective regarding the possibility of dividing Syria
into two parts by deploying international forces. The sources said that Iraq,
supported by Russia and China, will present this proposal to the US and the EU, while
Iran will convince them with this deal by offering inducements such as building
a gas pipeline that passes through Iraq and Syria to Europe, mainly Germany, as
well as calming the tension with Israel, refraining from interfering in Bahrain
and lifting its support off Sudan.