’’Israel’’ Breaches Blue Line, Suleiman Back from Australia
The Lebanese Parliament brought down its curtains on a farce play with the country's lawmakers and legislators as the heros.
The three days show ended and the government succeeded in strengthening its position after gaining the Parliament's confidence.
However, the minority went out broken after the "Phalange Party" MPs fired a bullet into the chest of the allies.
Meanwhile, as the Nejma square enjoyed the calm after the noise of media duels, the
government's new launch was breached by an "Israeli" land violation and US blatant interference.
Gov't's Meeting:
Armed by the renewed parliamentary confidence, the Lebanese government convened Friday with a 63-item agenda.
The Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed confidence that "the government will again be up to the level of the parliamentary confidence."
"The government has much to do to finalize the 2012 draft state budget, conduct parliamentary elections, approve civil service appointments and act on oil, electricity and other issues," Mikati said.
Political sources told "as-Safir" Lebanese daily that the "session was calm and that no hot issues were brought up."
On another level, "al-Akhbar" reported that "bread and kanafeh [a Lebanese dessert] were present on the ministerial table."
"The government fixed the bread's price while kanafeh was served to the ministers and journalists at the Grand Serail to celebrate the confidence vote," the paper clarified.
On the bread's price, the paper confirmed that "the council of Ministers adopted a proposal to fix the current price and weight of the bread."
"The government mandated the Economic Minister [Nicolas Nahhas] to negotiate with the owners of bakeries given the power to accept a bread weight reduction that reaches a maximum level of 50 grams," it added.
In parallel, Acting Information Minister Wael Abou Faour stated that "the government approved a proposal to amend a controversial draft rent law."
"The government is scheduled to meet Wednesday with a 54- item agenda on top of which is appointing a director general of the tenders department at the Central Inspection Authority," "al-Akhbar" mentioned.
US Interference Continues...
On another level, "as-Safir" uncovered Saturday that "the US embassy in Beirut is exerting efforts in an attempt to thwart the upcoming meetings of the Lebanese Iranian Higher Committee and the Joint Economic Committee."
"The embassy is trying to obstruct the course of the agreements concluded between Lebanon and Iran, and to cut the road on any agreements or protocols of cooperation the two sides intend to sign," the paper added.
It further mentioned that "the Friday's visit of the US Ambassador Maura Connelly to Mikati lies in this context."
However, the PM's circles denied to the daily their knowledge of such a move.
"In all cases, Lebanon does not wait instructions from anyone. Lebanon recognizes its interests, and the government is working as required by its interests, and good relations with the brotherly and friendly countries," the sources confirmed.
"Lebanon's relationship with Iran is good, as its relations with all countries are," "as-Safir" quoted Mikati's sources as saying.
Suleiman Back, Pietton Concerned
In parallel, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman ended his one week visit to Australia.
In an interview with "al-Liwaa" newspaper, the President described his Australian meetings as "successful".
"The talks we had with the Australian government were very important, because Australia is on the verge of a non-permanent United Nation Security Council membership for two years," Suleiman said.
He added that "we intended to inform the Australian government on our position on all the raised topics, whether on Palestine or the Arab spring or our position regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon."
For his part, the French ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton expressed concern on the security situation in Lebanon especially after the alleged assassination of the Head of the "Lebanese Forces" Samir Geagea.
"We strongly condemn it. Had it succeeded ... Lebanon would have been in a very dangerous situation," he said.
Pietton further stressed the importance of protecting Lebanon from the regional developments.
"Whether this was called a policy of distancing itself from the Syrian crisis or not, the protection of Lebanon from the developments becomes much more important," the ambassador said.
He also told "an-Nahar" that " it is in the interest of Lebanese officials to preserve national unity and dialogue so that the Syrian crisis does not expand to Lebanon.
"Lebanese officials must resume the national dialogue even if it was not immediately productive," he asserted.
The ambassador also called for not postponing the Lebanese 2013 parliamentary elections.
"Israel" Breaches Blue Line
On the security level, "Israel" breached Lebanon's sovereignty, violating the land borders of Shebaa Lebanese farms as UNIFIL forces overlook the scene.
According to "al-Intiqad" correspondent, an "Israeli" bulldozer, backed by two Merkava tanks, trespassed the Blue Line on Lebanon's border as it razed the soil by that changing the landmarks of the region.
The Lebanese army immediately sent a patrol to the region, and filed a complaint at the UNIFIL.
According to sources, the razing aims at building a fence that extends over more than one thousand five hundred meters at the Rweisat al-Alam point.
It is worth mentioning that Lebanon has filed a complaint at the Security Council via Lebanon's Foreign Ministry in protest to the Zionist breach.
Source: Lebanese newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
