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.
The Head of the Lebanese Forces (LF) Samir Geagea told An-Nahar daily that March 14 parties will not waiver on the issue of military violations of the Lebanese-Syrian maritime borders and will use every democratic means available.
Geagea recalled the disappearance of Cheble al-Aysame and three other Syrian citizens hailing from al-Jasem and mentioned the recent remarks made by the ISF General Commander Maj. Ashraf Rifi before the Human Rights Committee.
“I am raising the issue in its political and national dimension. This issue harms the national sovereignty and no one would benefit if Lebanon turns into another Somalia. The military judicial system has the duty to investigate and pronounce verdicts,” Geagea said.
Geagea slammed the latest remarks made by Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali by saying: “He does not have the right to make statements pertaining to a Lebanese official.”
Asked about remarks made by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour that he will endorse the Assad regime, Geagea said: “It appears that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is not really our minister, rather he is his own minister. Did he consult the president or the PM before taking the appropriate position? Does that position represent the opinion of the majority of the Lebanese people? Is it the state’s customary position? Never.”
Geagea warned against any attempt to undermine the issue of funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), saying that if Lebanon does not live up to its international commitments it will face isolation.
“All successive governments since 2008, with the participation of Hezbollah, have provided enough funds to ensure the sustainability of the UN-backed tribunal”, Geagea told the local newspaper.
Speaker Nabih Berri told As-Safir daily that the purpose behind the meeting of parliamentary committees is to inquire as to when drilling would begin in the cabinet’s offshore resources plan, several months after the parliament passed the oil act.
The newspaper quoted Berri as saying, “we will probe the cabinet about the executive decrees and procedures related to this issue.”
Berri said that it is unacceptable to procrastinate with the implementation of practical steps required to invest in Lebanon’s offshore resources, so that the law actually be carried out.
“If the cabinet does not provide plausible justifications for the delay, I will back any MP who would like to start an inquiry if necessary”, Berri said.
PM Najib Mikati told Al Akhbar daily that the cabinet will remove all obstacles impeding its work in order to maintain stability in Lebanon, adding that all remarks insinuating the contrary are incorrect.
“I promise to continue persevering to find a suitable solution to all political, social, economic and security problems”, Mikati said.
Speaking on the possibility of his resignation, Mikati said: “I assumed the post of Prime Minister at a time when the country was stuck in a crisis and I intend to overcome all problems.”
The Head of the Kataeb party Amin Gemayel told Acharq al Awsat daily that a solution for funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is nowhere to be found, because some Lebanese parties are taking arbitrary stances that contradict the principles of justice, human rights and equity.
“The Arab revolutions are a new concept to the Arab world. I have discussed the Arab spring with the secretary general of the League of Arab States and the Egyptian foreign minister”, Gemayel said.
Speaking on Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai remarks regarding having to “choose between two evils” when it comes to Syria, Gemayel said “What Rai meant to say is that Syria must overcome its plight and that no perfect solution exists.”
The Head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Burhan Ghalioun denied he intends to run for the presidency of a joint government between the opposition and the Syrian regime.
Al Akhbar daily quoted Ghalioun as saying, “The SNC will not engage in any dialogue with the Assad-regime, even if all other solutions are exhausted.
Ghalioun added that the SNC is against any military foreign interference in Syria whether it is done through the NATO or any other power.
“It is important to remind everyone that bloody regimes using oppressive means, and not the opposition, which have triggered foreign military interference”, Ghalioun said.
Ghalioun stressed that toppling the regime is a duty reserved for the Syrian people and not for foreign powers.
“Hezbollah’s violation of the Syrians rights and denial of their sacrifices is neither acceptable nor justifiable”, Ghalioun said, adding that the Syrians never were and never will stand in the way of the resistance.
Ghalioun noted that the relations between the next Syrian regime and the resistance will depend on the extent to which the resistance cooperates with the Syrian government.
Ghalioun announced that he is not willing to meddle in Lebanese politics because he does not wish to exacerbate tensions in the Lebanese arena.