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.
In what has become a daily Twitter ritual, former PM Saad Hariri expressed to his followers the shame he felt when the Lebanese government voted against the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria's membership.
“I ask the Syrian people not to consider this as the will of the Lebanese”, Hariri said. Hariri depicted the stance taken by the Arab League as “a victory” proving that “Arabs can act on the world stage, starting with their own turf.”
“It is time for us to bow our heads in prayer for the memory of all those who have fallen on the road to freedom, particularly in Syria”, Hariri said.
A prominent March 14 source told
An-Nahar daily that March 14 forces are currently looking into the destiny of Syrian ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali and Lebanese ambassador to Syria Michel Khoury in light of the Arab League’s call for Arab States to withdraw their ambassadors from Syria.
The source described the official stance taken by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour as an expression of the will of a cabinet dominated by Hezbollah.
“Where are they taking Lebanon?” the source wondered, “first Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announces that he does not recognize the international resolutions and then Mansour disavows Arab decisions.”
MP Antoine Zahra told
Al Seyassah al Kuwaiti daily that ties between the Lebanese Forces and the Future Movement are not deteriorating. “Proof being that former PM Saad Hariri’s nomination of the Head of the LF Samir Geagea for presidency, in the next term”, Zahra said.
Zahara regarded such statements as fabrications invented by those wishing to start false rumors in order to distract the Lebanese from their harmful intentions which are to diminish the power of the State in favor of the Statelet.
On another note, Zahra depicted the public hearings held by the STL’s first instance chamber as preliminary procedures that will show which direction the tribunal will opt for.
“The STL will either decide to hold trials in absentia, exert more pressure on the Lebanese government to arrest the accused and hand them over to the court or take adversarial procedures,” Zahra said.
MP Marwan Hmadeh told
Al Mustaqbal daily that anyone that disavows international commitments is not worthy of being dubbed a resistance, in reference to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s remarks as to the non-recognition of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“The resistance used to be a source of pride until it turned its weapons against Lebanese citizens, terrorized them and occupied their lands”, Hmadeh said. Hmadeh regarded the decision taken by the Arab League to suspend Syria as the right decision.
“The stance taken by the Lebanese government will raise questions on the destiny of the promises made by Mikati’s cabinet to keep its international commitments, especially those regarding the STL”, Hmadeh said.
Future bloc MP Mohammad Hajjar told
Al Seyassah al Kuwaiti daily that in his latest speech; Hezbollah Secreatry General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah reiterated the same stances as before.
“Sayyed Nasrallah refused once again to recognize the Special Tribunal for Lebanon”, Hajjar said. Hajjar added that Sayyed Nasrallah’s call for Arab States to mobilize the necessary support for the STL and leave PM Najib Mikati alone is a red herring attempt that seeks to deceive the Lebanese.
“Those who have struggled for the truth deserve to feel safe in a country where they are protected by the State. They earned the right to have a government that stays true to its international commitments and avoids a collision with the international community”, Hajjar stressed.
Hajjar urged PM Mikati to put his words into action and stop covering up for the stances taken by Hezbollah and “its Secretary General”.
Speaking on the dispute between Speaker Nabih Berri and former PM Saad Hariri, Hajjar considered that Berri is confused; therefore he is no longer fit to assume such a position.