The Daily Star - Lebanon's Arabic press digest - Sept. 14, 2011

Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Wednesday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
Al-Mustaqbal
Matar: Jumblatt did not criticize Rai but gave a different opinion
Hezbollah, Aoun step up campaign against financing STL
The political scene appeared to be headed toward further escalation inside the government amid the unexpected campaign by the March 8 coalition against the head of the National Struggle Front, MP Walid Jumblatt, and the war launched by Rabieh [MP Michel Aoun] against Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Meanwhile, the Future parliamentary bloc, commenting on recent remarks made in Paris by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, stressed following its weekly meeting Tuesday that “Lebanon – Muslims and Christians – has a real interest in spreading the culture of moderation and tolerance, based on the principles of the democratic system.”
The Future bloc has also reiterated its support for the Syrian people’s demands for “freedom, dignity, reform, progress and expansion of political participation.”
Turning to the cracks in the government, Hezbollah wants to know the truth behind Jumblatt’s statements as head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad said, while pro-Aoun MP Ziad Aswad slammed Jumblatt for criticizing Rai, saying: “We do not allow anyone to lecture Bkirki.”
“Those who seek an active role for Bkirki must give a role for their community and not impose a one-man-rule,” Aswad said, adding that “those who give us lessons should start with themselves.”

As-Safir
UNIFIL complains … [Lebanese Army] strengthens protection [of UNIFIL]
The domestic scene is catching up after confusion set in over Patriarch Beshara Rai’s remarks on Syria and Hezbollah’s arms.
Members in the majority were “startled” by MP Walid Jumblatt’s response to Rai, particularly regarding his objection to linking Lebanon’s fate to the liberation of Shebaa Farms.
MP Mohammad Raad’s indirect response to Jumblatt was significant: the Hezbollah official signaling that Jumblatt should not get carried away "over present-day equations.”
However, Hezbollah reportedly lacks any interest in escalating the situation or trigger an open row with Jumblatt, who dispatched Cabinet Minister Wael Abu Faour Tuesday to Ain el-Tineh [for talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri].
Later, Jumblatt explained that his latest position was only a reminder of what had been agreed on during all-party talks and should not be interpreted as a form of political re-alignment.
Meanwhile, Future News channel quoted Jumblatt as saying on the sidelines of a meeting [in Beirut] with Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, that he did not understand Raad’s statement, who called on the Progressive Socialist Party leader to wait before considering his positions.
Separately, As-Safir learned that the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta, has expressed discontent over the security measures that have been taken to protect UNIFIL patrols.
As-Safir said Asarta recently traveled by land from Naqoura, south Lebanon, to the Defense Ministry in Yarze to monitor the security measures taken following bomb attacks on UNIFIL’s Italian and French contingents.
Asarta informed relevant parties he was surprised to find out that security measures were “insufficient.”
A Western diplomat quoted Asarta as warning Lebanese officials of the possibility of terminating UNIFIL’s mission “if they are exposed to harassment or attacks while doing their job in implementing the tasks entrusted to them under [Security Council] Resolution 1701."
Military sources, in turn, told As-Safir that Asarta’s concerns were met, adding that Asarta had been informed that the Lebanese Army has taken the necessary measures to protect UNIFIL convoys north of the Litani River.

Al-Liwaa
Hezbollah accuses Jumblatt of seeking to ruin the government as Damascus freezes ties with him
Well-informed sources said the issue of funding the STL is likely to be a “hidden battle” within the government, pending Prime Minister Najib Mikati revealing his cards.
The sources pointed out that a statement by former Cabinet Minister Wiam Wahhab following his meeting with Aoun Tuesday in which he said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon “was behind us and we will not approve funding” was a direct regional message to Mikati.
Significantly, Wahhab’s remarks coincided with comments made by Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad who reiterated that the STL was politicized, accusing those working for the tribunal of being employees at international intelligence agencies.
In response to a question, Future News channel quoted Jumblatt as saying that he did not ask for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad nor with Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah.
However, informed sources told Al-Liwaa that Damascus has decided to freeze ties with Jumblatt over recent remarks he made regarding the unrest in Syria.