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
Diplomatic sources told
An-Nahar newspaper that the European Union will not take any measures against Lebanon if the Cabinet refuses to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), adding that the European Union maintain a different relation with Lebanon than the United States does and that the EU members are well aware about the current political situation in the region.
The sources added that the Union countries would prefer if the government funds the STL, but in case this file will be refused during the cabinet meeting, the sources assured that no measures will be taken, no sanctions will be imposed and no military interventions under the Article 41 of the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter will occur.
An-Nahar mentioned that the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule did not mention anything about imposing sanctions on Lebanon, adding that Fule will visit Beirut on Thursday to discuss with several political figures current political and economic issues.
According to
Al-Akhbar the General Secretary of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah visited Damascus 10 days ago and met with Syrian President Bashar Assad to discuss critical issue in Lebanon, Syria and the region, especially the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The newspaper added that the Syria President did not reject funding the STL, but stressed on the importance of the stability of the government. Assad praised the government support to Syria amid the ongoing situation, adding that it [the government] should protect the Resistance [Hezbollah]. Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted Hezbollah’s stance towards funding the STL as a matter of principle directly related to the Resistance.
Al-Akhbar added that Assad told Sayyed Nasrallah that Syria will not discuss the funding issue anymore as it is considered a Lebanese internal political issue, leaving the room for Hezbollah and its allies to find the correct outcome to preserve the resistance interests.
Sources close to PM Najib Mikati told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the General Secretary of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah maintain a positive attitude and is still willing to discuss Hezbollah’s stance on the Special Tribunal as well as its funding.
The sources revealed that secret discussions and meetings are being held in this regard in order to find a certain formula to please all political sides but it will a lot of time.
According to
Al-Joumhouria the Vice President of Future Movement MP Antoine Andraos said from Riyadh that the meeting between former PM Saad Hariri and PM Najib Mikati will not change any political situation as it was a social meeting during the Saudi Crown Prince funeral.
Andraos reminded about previous meeting between both PM after Mikati’s nomination, pointing out that eventually these meetings will help breaking the ice and that the last meeting happened in an exceptional occasion and environment.
According to
Al-Liwaa newspaper President Michel Sleiman said that Lebanon should preserve bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, adding that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was always an ally and a support to the Lebanese whenever they were in need.
Sleiman told the newspaper that Saudi Arabia offered a lot of donations and soft loans to boost the Lebanese economy, as well as several billion dollars deposited in Lebanese banks to support the Lebanese pound. President Sleiman praised the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, pointing out that he always supported the Lebanese Armed forces either with his generous donations or armament especially during Nahr Al-Bared conflict.
Sleiman addressed the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz thanking him for his continuous support for Lebanon mainly during July war in 2006, after which his country decided to start the reconstruction of dozens of Lebanese villages at the borders.
Al-Liwaa reported that the Lebanese President called the Saudi King several times before and after his back operation to check on his health. Sources close to the Saudi King told the newspaper that Kind Abduallah will most probably appoints Prince Nayef as the new Crown Prince.