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.
Imam of the
Bilal bin Rabbah mosque Sheikh Ahmad Assir vowed escalation until Hezbollah’s
apartments in Abra are closed, pointing out that “gunmen living in one of the
apartments are tasked with blackmailing people”.
Sheikh Assir
told the Kuwait-based
Al-Seyassah Daily that “most of the Lebanese politicians have
unfortunately buckled under the Iranian domination”, and questioned the world’s
inaction after “the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons”.
In this
context, Assir accused the international community of conspiring against the
Syrian revolution, while "the Arab States are incapable of taking any initiative
to save the Syrian people”.
Sources
told
Al Akhbar Newspaper that Speaker Nabih Berri held a series of contacts
with President Michel Sleiman, stressing the need to form a ‘political government’
that should be able to face all challenges.
The
Daily quoted political sources as saying that contacts were also held between
President Sleiman and the Head of Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun whereby
they also tackled the formation of a new government.
The
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri stressed that Saudi Arabia did not
boycott any Lebanese party, noting that he held contacts with all the internal
political forces since his appointment as Ambassador to Beirut.
In
a question directed at the Ambassador over his latest meeting with Caretaker Minister
of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil, Asiri told
As-Safir Daily that “the meeting had a positive impact”, adding that he respects the Head of the Change and Reform bloc, MP
Michel Aoun, along with all the Lebanese officials, regardless of their
political affiliation.
On
another note, Asiri said that contacts are being held with Hezbollah, pointing
out that “disputes over political standpoints are not considered as a problem”,
adding that all discrepancies can be addressed through dialogue.
Minister of
Industry Freij Sabounjian stressed that tireless efforts are being exerted in a bid
to settle the file of oil tank trucks on the Lebanese-Syrian border, noting
that the General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim endeavored to open the border
since it is crucial for the Lebanese economy.
In this
context, Sabounjian told
al-Joumhouria Newspaper that there are alternative means of
transportation albeit costly. Sabounjian hoped that the import/export route would be reopened for Lebanon's economic welfare.