Lebanon to Solve Energy, Border Security Files, Syria Seeks Political Exit
Lebanon is one of the world's richest countries when it comes to "water resources", which could be used for drinking, irrigation, and also generating energy. However, as rich as Lebanon can seem, it blunders in both energy and water dilemmas.
These dilemmas were highlighted in the Friday edition of Lebanon's major dailies, and so were other high-profiled issues.
Berri, Mikati on Piled Up Files
In its editorial, as-Safir newspaper indicated that the Ministerial committee's meeting to look into the energy production in Lebanon was dismissed; therefore postponing the issuance of the decree to form the administrative body to oversee the petroleum sector.
On this level, in an interview with as-Safir daily, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati indicated his belief that it is useless to hold "unproductive" meetings and sessions, especially after the ministerial committee held enough talks regarding the issue, without reaching any consensus.
Also on the energy production file, Mikati said he is "currently preparing a report to submit to the cabinet, through which he will give options to put an end to the electricity crisis."
On his part, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri told the same newspaper that ratifying the decree to form the administrative body to oversee the petroleum sector is not enough to dismiss the government from the Parliamentary session, which is assigned to hold discussions in this regard.
Concerning the administrative appointments, Berri expressed discontent with the slow pace, wondering "Why haven't many empty positions been filled [...] although there is a mechanism which enables the most efficient personnel of each sect to reach the position they deserve. Therefore, the appointments shouldn't take more than month to be complete... But what are they waiting for?"
Moreover, Berri speculated why would assigning a head for the Supreme Judicial Council take so much time, although this position has an exceptional importance.
Security at the Lebanese-Syrian Borders
In a different context, al-Akhbar Lebanese daily highlighted the security situation on the Lebanese-Syrian borders, in addition to the status at the Saida-based Ein el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp. Hereupon, al-Akhbar daily indicated that the "security scene" overcame the "political scene".
The daily noted that meetings were held in Ein el-Helweh in an attempt to contain all problems that occurred between the Palestinians and the Lebanese Army soldiers stationed near the refugee camp. Also, Lebanese figures in the area, including head of the South Province Nicolas Abou Daher, held meetings to discuss the issue and confirm that all measures adopted by the Lebanese army serve the Palestinians. They added that the security situation requires these measures.
Underlining the situation on the borders, al-Akhbar daily also added that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel headed a meeting for the Technical committee to control the borders between Lebanon and Syria. Present at the meeting were Head of Internal Security Forces Ashraf Rifi, and Head of Public Security Abbass Ibrahim, in addition to other figures.
After the meeting, the convened sides issued a statement clarifying that they discussed some "effective matters related to the security forces deployed on the Lebanese borders." They also discussed the complete strategy to control the borders also on the economic level.
Lebanese Water and Food Security at Risk
Also in the cabinet's agenda lies the "Food Security" issue which has been the main concern of the whole Lebanese society, especially after "scandals" of unhealthy, unsterilized, and unlicensed companies have come to light.
Not only were the meat, bakeries and dairy products among the damaged products, however now, it appears that some of the "water" companies are unlicensed. In this context, al-Jomhouriyah newspaper stated that Lebanese Public Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil announced that 85% of the "mineral water" companies in Lebanon are unlicensed. Minister Khalil clarified that therefore, these companies are not subject to any censorship.
He added that the tests and surveillances done on the waters of the said companies are not very "encouraging", and warned the Lebanese people from dealing with any of those companies, further vowing to take action in this regard.
UNSC Statement Meets Obstacles
On the Syrian level, the UN Security Council's (UNSC) presidential office issued a statement supporting the international initiative of Kofi Annan, in which he stressed the importance of dialogue and political solution in the unrest-struck country. After the said "statement" was expressed, all expectations now await Annan's next step to call for the implementation of his initiative, al-Binaa daily indicated.
In addition, al-Binaa diplomatic sources affirmed that it is not confirmed whether Annan's request would be achieved, unless of course Washington and its western allies pressure Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Syrian opposition, to stop the violence and bloodshed in Syria.
This comes amid new "regional" attempts to restrain Annan's efforts, this time through new Turkish efforts to host the so-called "Friends of Syrian Conference" in Istanbul in April.
Furthermore, the so-called "Syrian National Council" also refused to adopt and accept the presidential statement issued by the UNSC which calls on all parties to stop the violence and refer to an inclusive political dialogue.
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
