The Daily Star - Lebanon's Arabic press digest - Sept. 12, 2011

Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Monday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
Al-Akhbar
Mikati: We will fund the Tribunal, Hezbollah is innocent
Prime Minister Najib Mikati [in an interview with Al-Jadeed television station] Sunday asked Hezbollah to appoint lawyers to defend the accused in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, stressing that the party is innocent of the charges.
Mikati also stressed the need to reveal the fabrications resulting from the indictment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and confirmed that the government would continue funding the STL “out of Lebanon’s adherence to the United Nations.”
He called for keeping the issue of the tribunal and its funding outside bickering present in the media and stressed his belief in the principle of quiet diplomacy.
Mikati also called on Hezbollah to “hire lawyers to take over the task of defending the four members who have been charged in the assassination [of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri] … and that’s because I’m sure of Hezbollah’s innocence, and if there were fabrications, let us reveal them. The tribunal opens the door for that.”

Al-Liwaa
Gulf support for STL and calls for Lebanese to commit to national unity
Mikati: STL funding ongoing, Aoun’s remarks against Sunni [public] staff unacceptable
Officials surprised by Rai’s statements on political Islam ... ongoing row with March 14
Mikati's position Sunday evening somewhat calmed tensions over Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions, including funding of the STL, and over attacks made by MP Michel Aoun against Sunni civil servants.
Mikati also wished “from the bottom of my heart” to see an end to the issue of the U.S. cables relating to Lebanon which were released by WikiLeaks and have caused a row among rival politicians.
Upon his return to Beirut, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai defended his remarks on Syria and Hezbollah, saying those who read his statement had only focused on the headline.
In a development that would provide an additional opportunity for Lebanon’s stability despite internal tensions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) renewed its full support for Lebanon’s security, stability and national unity.
The GCC called on all Lebanese political parties to address issues with wisdom and prudence.
A ministerial source said the GCC position was good for Lebanon ahead of a Sept. 21-22 visit by both President Michel Sleiman and Mikati to New York to attend a U.N. Security Council meeting.
Regarding STL funding, Mikati stressed in an interview with Al-Jadeed television station Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions without distinction between resolution 1701 on UNIFIL’s deployment in the south and Resolution 1757, which established the international tribunal.
Mikati pointed out that Lebanon’s non-commitment to international resolutions, not only serves the interests of Israel, but would put the country in a dangerous position.
The prime minister admitted that he disagreed with MP Michel Aoun over the electricity issue as well as other issues but stressed that he is keen not to turn disputes into a crisis.
Mikati pointed out that just like other political parties, Aoun has his own style in dealing with things “and I respect all parties.”
However, an adamant Mikati said he would not accept anyone targeting the six Sunni civil servants whom Aoun demanded be sacked. They are: Cabinet’s Director General Suheil Bouji, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, head of the ISF Information Branch Col. Wissam Hasan, State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza, Director General of Ojero Telecoms Abdel-Monem Youssef and chairman of the board of Middle East Airlines Mohammad Hout.
Mikati strongly defended the six men and wondered why question marks were raised over them. “Are others saints?” he asked.
Meanwhile, a leading Christian figure warned that Rai’s statements have become a threat to plans to unite Christians – a goal long sought by Bkirki – adding that uniting Christians cannot be achieved by proposing principles that contradict those of the Maronite Church.


Al-Mustaqbal
Hezbollah warns March 14 leaders of prosecution ... Foreign Minister reiterates government’s adherence to Syria
Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai returned from a visit to France after statements that he made in Paris raised many questions in Christian circles, which appear to be heading to Bkirki for answers.
Rai said his statements were not appropriately interpreted, adding that he and fellow bishops have “realized the responsibility and realized the need to approach the matter seriously and responsibly.”
Christian leaders, particularly Maronites, have stepped up contacts following Rai’s return from France and agreed on the need to communicate directly with the patriarch, seeking clarification regarding his positions and the reasons that led him to such a position.

As-Safir
Rai does not cave in to pressure ... sticks to fundamentals
A new week begins with a controversy over Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai’s remarks made in France and the positions of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who confirmed Sunday his commitment to international resolutions.
Meanwhile, the electricity bill was lost on the road between Cabinet and Parliament as sources told As-Safir that the delay in the referral of the energy plan is due to disagreements between Mikati and Energy Minister Jibran Bassil over the wording of the draft law.
With Rai’s return to Beirut, it appeared that the patriarch was committed to his stance and refused to retract it under political and media pressure.
Rai only provided some clarifications and explanations that showed that the statements he made were not impromptu or hasty, but were premeditated.

An-Nahar
Rai responds to [statement] “distortion”: We are not with or against any regime
Does the return of Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai to Beirut and clarifications he made regarding his controversial positions during his visit to France, and even his criticism of what he described as the “distortion” of his statements, put an end to the wide-ranging reactions to his remarks?
During a meeting that An-Nahar attended, Rai wanted to detail some of what he did not say in his statement upon arrival at the airport.
Rai said remarks he made in France were “abridged and out of its context and that is why it was misunderstood.”