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 Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokesperson Marten Youssef told
An-Nahar daily that the prosecution will plead, during Friday’s public hearing, that the procedures in absentia are premature, adding that the defense office also shares this point of view.
Youssef stressed that the first instance chamber will issue its decision in the upcoming days, rather than immediately following the hearing.
The
STL first instance chamber will hold a public hearing on Friday to look into the possibility of holding a trial in absentia for the four Hezbollah members indicted in former PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination.
Judge Robert Ross heads the first instance chamber while judges Micheline Breidy and David Ray are members. Representatives from the prosecution and the defense office that is opposing the trail in absentia will also be present. In fact, the defense office considers that such a trial would be unfair while the prosecution is asking for more time to understand the reasons why the accused have not yet been captured.
The Head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Burhan Galioun called for avoiding the “Lebanonization” of the Syrian revolution. Ghalioun urged all parties to stand in the face of sectarian killing phenomena and abductions based on identities,
As-Safir daily.
“I expect that the Arab League will involve the United Nations in an Arab-International initiative. Such an initiative will overcome the obstacle of the Russian Veto and shield civilians from the daily bloodshed”, Ghalioun said.
Ghalioun stressed that foreign interference is not an option, highlighting the importance of protecting civilians. “I would like to call for ending oppression that is preventing the Syrian people from enjoying the right to self-determination”, Ghalioun added.
Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi criticized the cabinet’s performance, adding that professional and qualified ministers and administrators are needed to lead the way forward.
Al-Mustaqbal daily quoted Aridi as saying: “At this time when people are caught up in voting for the new seven wonders, the greatest wonder in this world is the way through which the Lebanese government works and manages people’s affairs.”
Aridi told the local newspaper that it appears that some assume their duties in their spare time; this is why the lack of devotion in the administration’s work is so apparent.
In what has become a daily Twitter session, former PM Saad Hariri told his followers that if the opposition wins the 2013 elections, he will nominate the Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea for president.
“Our fundamental belief in the Future Movement and March 14 forces is in the Unity of Lebanon, state, people and territory. We only believe in weapons held by the Lebanese State. We never were and we'll never be a militia,” Hariri said.
Hariri hoped that the Syrian people’s demands are met as soon as possible, adding that the Lebanese should not be afraid of the winds of change taking Syria by storm.
- Jumblatt criticizes visits to Damascus, advises Hezbollah to fund STL
In a TV interview, the Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt criticized the visits conducted by some Lebanese security officials to Damascus. Jumblatt stressed that neither the LAF nor security officials have the right to head to Syria alone without the knowledge of Lebanese authorities.
Jumblatt called for strengthening coordination on the security level between the two countries on the condition that the rules and protocol are respected.
Jumblatt urged security apparatuses to join forces under the leadership of President Michel Sleiman to investigate the abduction of Syrian opposition figures in Lebanon. “Secretary General of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council Nasri Khoury should be dismissed because Lebanon needs a qualified and experienced professional who will take note of the complaints, rather than a person whose allegiances lie with a political party”, Jumblatt said.
Speaking on funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), Jumblatt advised Hezbollah to agree on this issue and said: “If Hezbollah does not wish to fund the STL, then this issue will surely not be adopted. This would be a political mistake.”