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.
Leaders in the Syrian armed opposition told
al-Akhbar Daily that
they received a large quantity of Ukrainian weapons purchased by Saudi Arabia
and transported through Lebanon.
In this context, a defected officer said that “they finally
received anti-tank missiles and defensive weapons through
illegal crossing points at the borders with Lebanon,” noting that the quantity
is limited. However, he pointed out that the opposition will be able to receive
military supplies, since it succeeded in taking control over an important part
of the border region.
Al-Akhbar Daily quoted leader of Progressive Socialist Party Walid
Jumblatt as saying that Hezbollah’s behavior and that of Sheikh Ahmad Assir are
exacerbating the current situation.
Jumblatt stressed that dialogue is the only solution for the
crises, noting that dialogue between Hezbollah and PSP has been cut short. “Unfortunately,
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah used to be the leader of
the Arab and Islamic nation, but what has he become?”
On the other hand, Jumblatt refused to link his latest positions
with his last visit to Saudi Arabia, denying that Saudi officials asked him to
choose between Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah.
Commenting on the elections, the PSP leader pointed out that
Hezbollah is seeking to win a majority of seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections,
stressing that he will boycott any session aimed at discussing the Orthodox
gathering’s draft law.
In this context, Jumblatt warned against any postponement that
can drag the country into the unknown and affect the economy, noting that he
supports the electoral law based on one electoral district and proportionality,
on the condition of forming a senate and abolishing political sectarianism.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that
the signatures of President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati on
the decree calling on the electoral bodies to hold the elections on the 9th
of June is just an administrative procedure, adding that “this was not a
political position.”
Geagea told
as-Safir Newspaper that the
1960s law will "never return", stressing that discussions are ongoing in an
attempt to reach a new electoral law.
President of the General Labor Confederation Ghassan Ghosn said that the issue of wage corrections should be based on increase of
the cost of living, noting that it is one of the duties of the government which
must adopt the indicators issued by the Central Statistics Department, according
to the 11% rise in prices.
In an interview with
al-Joumhouria
Daily, Ghosn said that "the cabinet’s preoccupation with other files is not an excuse
to neglect the issue of the wages."
In this context, Ghosn stressed that the GLC is following
up on the call on the Price Index Committee to convene, noting that the Labor Ministry along with all
the ministries are focusing on the file of the ranks and salaries series.