STL Financing Impeding, Gov’t’s Session Uncertain
Zeinab Essa
Here where indignities are part of the tears' anguish was the vigor.
Their determination is some of his, their victory is the tune of his blood and from his patience was the everlasting slogan.
Here we will stay our hand on the arms and Hussein is the heart, eye, and soul and our motto doesn't soften as long as our hearts beat and our blood flows with some of Imam Ali's strength.
The Secretary General of Hizbullah His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah vowed on the third night of Ashura that the resistance will remain devoted to Imam Hussein (P.B.U.H) path.
"We, men, women, boys, adults and children who stood hold during July war are neither afraid of war nor of their weapons nor cunning," His Eminence stressed.
Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri stressed Tuesday that he is to contact Prime Minister Najib Mikati in an attempt to solve the crisis that launched as Mikati threatened to resign if Lebanon doesn't fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
"In his attempt to find consensus among the government's members, Berri was tasked by the Hizbullah leadership in coordination with President Michel Suleiman to contact Mikati to find an acceptable solution by all members," the paper reported.
Unveiling that a study carried out by Spectrum British Company noted to the existence of huge amount of natural gas and oil in the sea off Beirut and Jounieh, House Speaker told "as-Safir" that the "government should act swiftly to invest in this expanding wealth by avoiding any delay or resignation."
Sources close to Berri informed "al-Akhbar" daily that "he was surprised with the time limit set by Mikati to determine STL funding."
"It was required that the contentious issue is to be put to the Council of Ministers and then forwarded to the Parliament," Berri's sources confirmed.
Parties on Gov't's Session:
This comes as Information Minister Walid Daouq informed Tuesday that all issues are to be discussed in Wednesday's ministerial session including STL funding.
He also pointed out that "House Speaker Berri has several positions, and we all trust him to find solutions."
"We must put all our differences aside for sake of Lebanon," he added.
"Wednesday's session will probably be postponed until next week in order to gain some time to resolve the new problem," the daily informed.
In parallel, Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas referred a series of decrees on the wage boost to the government.
"No doubt this is much more important than any funding and any tribunal," he said, adding that "it should be given the priority at the government and be adopted without procrastination."
In his remarks to "as-Safir", Nahhas called "everyone to rapidly assume his responsibility."
"We placed a foundation that we consider as important to all employees and workers," he stressed.
".Decision depends on Mikati's attempts to meet their requests," sources clarified
Similarly, National Struggle Front led by MP Walid Jumblatt declared that their decision depends on that of Mikati.
Sources close to Jumblatt told "as-Safir" that the latter rejects the collapse of the
"We should avoid everything that creates instability," the sources stressed.
Meanwhile, PM Mikati returned from his visit to the Vatican
Mikati met in the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI who said during the meeting, according to dailies sources, that he intends to visit Lebanon next autumn.
Lebanon Rejects Sanctions
"We do not agree with these sanctions and we will not go along with them," Mansour told "as-Safir".
Here where the black flag looms above the forehead of each, the promise and the covenant are kept.
"In this night as well on the tenth day of Ashura we promise you, Imam Hussein, that in this difficult time in the face of all the challenges, threats, insults, enemies' gather and hatred with all its abilities and absent of support to us, we will not abandon you, your religion, your Karbalaa and your goals, even if we they torn us and took our women and children as captives," Sayyed Nasrallah vowed.
STL Financing Solution in Berri's Pocket?!
Meanwhile, the governmental crisis remains at the top of political concern as foreign pressure on Syria continues to govern the political Arab scene.
In an interview with the Lebanese "as-Safir" newspaper, Berri emphasized that at "this historical stage, the government should work and not resign."
However, "an-Nahar" Lebanese daily quoted ministerial sources who expected that Wednesday's session is to be postponed until next week.
Nahhas told "as-Safir" that he proposed raising the minimum wage from the current LL500, 000 to LL750, 000 and giving a maximum LL300, 000 raise to all other employees.
Ministerial sources stressed that the "Change and Reform" bloc is to discuss Tuesday on "whether its ministers will participate in the governmental session or not."
government.
"The country cannot bear crises anymore," they said.
At another level, particularly Syrian developments, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour stressed that "Lebanon will not impose sanctions on Syria."
Noting that the Arab League measures will leave negative repercussions on many countries, Mansour said that "Lebanon would be the great loser if imposing this sanction."
Source: Lebanese newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
