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 General Secretary of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will give a televised interview Monday night where he is expected to discuss the Syrian situation.
According to
Al-Rai newspaper, Nasrallah will discuss the constant Israeli threats on Lebanon and the region as well as the readiness of the “resistance”, the Lebanese political scene related to the current government and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The newspaper added that the general secretary will discuss the Syrian appraisal to express Hezbollah’s position on that point and will make observations regarding the Libyan file after Gaddafi’s fall as well as the current Lebanese government’s efforts to reveal the fate of Imam Moussa al Sadr and his companions who disappeared in Tripoli 33 years ago.
Al-Rai reported that Nasrallah’s interview tonight will carefully discuss the critical situation in Syria after 8 months of violent protests, considering Hezbollah’s strong ties with the Syrian regime and President Bashar Assad. Sources close to the party told the newspaper that Nasrallah will express his support for the Syrian regime but will also mention that he is neither against the Syrian people nor their just demands calling for the implementation for reforms.
According to
Al-Akhbar newspaper Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said after his visit to France that the issue of Hezbollah’s telecommunication lines in Tarshish was solved, pointing out that no further installations will be made in the future.
The Ministry of Telecommunication issued a press release on Sunday condemning such actions, adding that no official or unofficial sources in Lebanon have the right to establish communication lines other than those of the ministry.
Ministerial sources told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that efforts have been made in the past 72 hours to “cool down” the tensions between Free Patriotic Movement ministers and the National Struggle Front.
The sources added that it is expected that strong arguments between ministers of the two blocs could happen at any cabinet meeting, especially since FPM ministers declared that they will not remain silent on the Progressive Socialist Party ministers’ abuses.
Al-Liwaa reported that PM Mikati preferred that Wednesday’s cabinet meeting would be canceled in order calm the tensions.
Sources close to PM Najib Mikati told
An-Nahar newspaper that there is no will to modify the protocol signed between the United Nations and Lebanon regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The sources added that all what is being said in this regard is no more than political posturing, adding that from a jurisdictional point of view the protocol could not be modified as it was ratified under chapter 7 of the United Nation’s charter.
An-Nahar mentioned that it is possible that the General Secretary of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will discuss the STL protocol and funding on Monday night during his televised interview.
Future bloc member Samir Jisr told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that Hezbollah is establishing military bases in Tripoli with the cooperation of local political parties and armed groups sharing strong ties with Iran and Syria, Jisr noted that Syria and Iran have been sending a steady supply of weapons and money to the area.