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
According to
al-Liwaa daily, President Michel Sleiman reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to
international obligations, including the STL and all relevant financial and
non-financial responsibilities.
The daily
quoted Sleiman on Wednesday as saying that “it is important to separate between
Lebanon’s commitment to the STL and the Tribunal’s course,” adding that the
general atmosphere with regard to the Tribunal is better than before.
“Though I
don’t have a clear vision of a solution to the funding issue, I am attaching
high expectations to the assiduous efforts deployed in this regard,” he added.
Sleiman said
that “the security situation in the country is alarming; nevertheless, I am not
worried since no party in Lebanon has interest in deteriorating the situation.”
In his
concluding remarks, Sleiman confirmed that the Syrian side expressed its regret
over the recent “unintentional” Syrian incursions and vowed not to repeat such
incidents for it respects Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty.
Al-Rai
newspaper revealed on Wednesday that a Lebanese woman had met with Saif
al-Islam Gaddafi in August 2010 in Athena to discuss the case of Imam Musa
Sadr’s disappearance.
A reliable
source quoted Saif al-Islam as saying, following the meeting, that “we invited
Sadr to eat fish; but we let the fish eat him instead.”
The sources
confirmed that Saif al-Islam did not accept to receive the Lebanese woman
before making sure, through a third party, that she obtained support from the
Sadr family and that she came to speak on their behalf.
According to
the sources, the woman asked Saif al-Islam about the fate of Sadr and his
companions who had met with Col. Muammar Gaddafi on August 28, 1978.
Saif
al-Islam confirmed to her that “the three of them were killed in Libya; it is
impossible to find any remnant of their bodies,” denying all circulating rumors
about their survival.
The sources
said that Saif al-Islam blamed his father for the death of Sadr and his
companions.
“Gaddafi
decided to get rid of them after the uproar caused by his meeting with the head
of the Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon. Before the meeting ended, Gaddafi
ordered his men to capture Sadr and his companions; a few days later, he
ordered their deaths.”
As-Safir
daily reported on Wednesday that Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed his commitment
to all of the decisions issued during the previous dialogue session.
Berri also
highlighted the importance of duly implementing these decisions, including
those related to the STL, the Palestinian arms and Syria.
Berri told
the daily that he is likely to meet with President Michel Sleiman during the
week, adding that “the dialogue that Sleiman is currently calling for is of
different nature.”
“It aims
primarily at discussing means to close ranks internally and to boost national
readiness to handle the rapid developments in the region.”
Al-Liwaa
daily quoted March 8 parliamentary sources on Wednesday as saying that “Speaker
Nabih Berri responded to the statement of former PM Saad Hariri after he
brought up unripe political subjects, attempting to escalate tension and
instigate his supporters against the speaker.”
The sources
confirmed that “Berri tried hard to defuse internal tension through his call
for dialogue and bring the Lebanese together and lay out all divisive issues
for discussion.”
The sources
told the daily that “Hariri’s statements unveil the opposition’s intentions to
preserve the deadlock situation by targeting national figures that play a key
role in preserving civil peace and fortifying the internal front.”
Al-Joumhouria
daily quoted well-informed sources on Wednesday as saying that next Friday’s
cabinet session will discuss a draft law to grant Lebanese citizenship to those
entitled.
The session
will also address the new electoral draft law prepared by Interior Minister
Marwan Charbel.