Foreign Move into Beirut, ’’Israel’’ to Rob Oil Stocks Recognition
A senior "March 14" official, specifically from the Future Movement confirmed "al-Akhbar" that a "recipe" is being prepared for the adoption of a political speech escalation in the face of the PM, MP Walid Jumblatt, and Hizbullah.
Stressing that "the political escalation will not move to the street," the "Future" Chef claimed that "Mikati and Jumblatt are responsible for what the country is facing."
Mariam Ali
Lebanon's burning sun revealed the calmness of the political scene as the country entered political week end vacation.
After three days of intense debate in the parliament, the tired country decided to rest. Mean while, both the head of Legislative and Executive authorities headed towards European countries after assuring that the majority's authoring train safely reached its destiny.
Mikati: Cooperation with Opposition
Prime Minister Najib Mikati called Friday the Lebanese for a new era of cooperation, saying he is ready to extend his hand to the opposition to ensure Lebanon's security, stability and prosperity.
"Today, I again confirm that my hand is extended to everyone, in the opposition prior to the pro-government camp, in order to turn the page of the past and open a new page of cooperation, each in his position, for the sake of Lebanon's immunity and prosperity of the Lebanese," Mikati said during a meeting with the staff of the premiership at the Grand Serail.
Addressing the Grand Serail staff, Mikati said his government welcomed "a constructive and objective opposition."
"The government's goal is to serve Lebanon's interest, its sovereignty, independence, the safety of its territory and dignity, the comfort of the Lebanese and their security, stability and well-being. The government will only confront anyone who stands in the way of achieving these goals on which the Lebanese agree," he added.
He promised that the government would address basic issues that concern the Lebanese, like water, electricity, roads, telecommunications, schools and universities.
Mikati said "the government would pay considerable attention to ensuring security and stability, as well as treating the economic crisis and enhancing the productivity of the state bureaucracy by filling vacant posts with qualified people and enhancing monitoring bodies."
Mosque's Confidence
On his 1st day after confidence, PM joined the Friday prayers led by Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani at Salam Mosque in Beirut before leaving with his family on a vacation.
"Yesterday facts bucked all the analysis and expectations and caused the failure of gambling, PM Mikati who gained the parliament's confidence Thursday won Friday the second confidence from most of Tripoli's mosques," "al-Akhbar" Lebanese news paper said.
"This was demonstrated by the passage of Friday prayers quietly and without converting the praying platforms to attack Mikati and his government, secondly, also worshipers didn't go in demonstrations that could be used to fabricate problems, and banners congratulating Mikati were spread in the city specifically in front of mosques," the daily clarified.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nabih Berri also left Beirut Friday for a few days' vacation.
After winning Parliament's confidence vote, Hizbullah's Agriculture Minister Hussein Haj Hassan announced that "this new government will work as a homogenous team to find solutions for the various political, economic and social problems."
For his part, Information Minister Walid Daouk told the National News Agency that "although Mikati's speech in Parliament had responded to all questions regarding divisive issues such as the STL, Hizbullah's arms, Lebanon's relations with Syria and the international community and U.N. resolutions, they were still skeptical of the government's position."
"March 14" To Escalate
The majority's extended hand isn't expected to meet the opposition hand for the latest is working on raising its statements' ceiling in the coming days.
In a parallel context, President Michel Suleiman stressed that it was the PM's duty to travel to Syria.
In remarks to "ad-Diyar" daily published Saturday, Suleiman said: "The prime minister's visit is a duty and is possible at any time but it's up to him to decide the appropriate timing."
Suleiman told the Lebanese paper that the new government would work on consolidating security. "We look forward to building a vision for Lebanon's future and drawing its renewed role amid the successive changes in the region and the world," he said.
Movement on French Front
From outside the Lebanese borders, French Foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said France had noted Prime Minister Najib Mikati's promise that the government would continue to cooperate with the STL.
"We are nevertheless concerned by the formulation used to refer to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which appears to cast doubt over the impartiality and the professionalism of the court," he said.
"We had always expected the Lebanese government to allow the STL from playing its role. If that is not the case, we will draw lessons from it," Juppe said during a press conference.
"An-Nahar" revealed that Juppe is expected to visit Beirut soon adding that he would invite Mikati to Paris.
Reversely, Army Chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji is scheduled to visit Paris on July 19 for talks with top French army officials to provide military assistance to Lebanon, "an- Nahar" reported.
A Lebanese army delegation that recently visited Washington told officials there that the military was not willing to fight Hizbullah in sake of "Israel".
"Israel" to Grab International Maritime Recognition
In the meantime, accelerated "Israeli" preparations emerged to the forefront to determine the economic maritime borders and to try to grab the international recognition of those stolen borders.
"It is assumed that the "Israeli" move is to be the first -item in the Lebanese government "agenda" to protect the borders and rights, especially that the stock of oils and gas located in areas nested within the marine waters," "as-Safir" Lebanese daily warned.
The Zionist step of robbery comes as the Lebanese government has hired a Norwegian firm to conduct a seismic survey on the Lebanese borders of exclusive economic zone. Lebanon intends to parcel out the rights to search for natural gas and oil in the area
The "Israeli" cabinet is expected to approve an official decision on Sunday detailing the borders of the so- called "Israel's" exclusive economic zone. "This decision will be submitted to international institutions, including the United Nations, in response to a similar decision submitted by Lebanon six months ago," "Haaretz" said.
Commenting on the "Israeli" step, Lebanese Minister of Oil and Energy Gubran Bassil assured that "we, of course, will prevent it, and not only "Israel" will suffer but also the companies that will cooperate with it in this area."
"I confirm that "Israel" is playing with fire, if it performs this breach and assault on Lebanon's maritime border and on our rights of oil, it will be in front of a big problem, especially that Lebanon cannot give up its sea boundaries and rights of oil, or allow any body to harm them," Bassil told "as-Safir" daily.
