“Electricity Ships” Deal Endangered, Jumblatt Meets the Khalils
If not political, it's economic, and if not economic it's social, and if not social, then it's one of the sectors of the country. That's how "problems" are distributed in most of the democratic countries, including Lebanon.
While Lebanon is somehow reflecting a "clam" situation compared to that of many regional countries, it is inevitable that little internal dilemmas would appear.
In their Friday edition, the major Lebanese dailies tackled the major Lebanese files, in addition to other regional updates on Syria.
Gov't Spending Effect Electricity Ships
On this level, as-Safir daily questioned the fate of the "electricity ships" deal's implementation, in light of the political disputes over the governmental spending file.
These "extra" spending are delayed, which means the delay of all investment spending; including social security, hospitals, and other fees, as long as the extra credits are not ratified, the daily added.
Hereupon, Lebanese Finance Minister Mohammad al-Safadi told as-Safir daily that "he is waiting for the approval of additional credits, so that all spending would stop; except salaries of employees and retired personnel of the public sector."
"As for the rest [of spending] will follow the 12th rule according to the 2005 budget, which represents L.L 10 thousand billion; half the spending of the year 2011," al-Safadi noted.
He added that the said step would halt many basic issues, and reflect [negatively] on the economic activity.
Moreover, al-Safadi indicated that the 2012 budget will be amended in accordance to the updated spending on the level of increasing the allowance of the public sector, by L.L 1700 billion, while some fees and taxes will be subjected to slight amendments as well.
Disputes Endanger "Electricity Ships" Deal
Reflecting updates on the electricity ships' rental file, ministerial sources stated to as-Safir that the negotiations are ongoing. However; the sources added that the agreement approved by the technical ministerial committee and PM Najib Mikati could be stopped; which means that the whole deal would be annulled.
Furthermore, while negotiations are still ongoing on some points, the Turkish company, catering the ships, requested that the Lebanese ministerial committee looking into this issue facilitates steps in return for decreasing the rental and operating charges.
This issue is still a matter of dispute among some members of the committee, with reference to the high expenses.
Among the requests of the Turkish company, as-Safir reported, is a request for a 25% down payment, total exemption from taxes throughout its operation in Lebanon, in addition to other requests which are still under dispute.
Jumblatt Meets the Khalils
Head of National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt held a meeting on Thursday with Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, and Hizbullah Secretary General's political advisor Hussein Khalil.
While some sources expressed that the meeting ended with negative indications, Jumblatt on his part described it as "very useful".
In an interview with as-Safir daily, Jumblatt indicated that the sides of the meeting held discussions on different issues, hoping that dialogue would be extended to include all sides.
On another hand, speaking to al-Nahar daily, Jumblatt confirmed that the atmosphere of the meeting was "excellent", stressing the importance of communication between all parties. "It is required to exchange points of view, even if there were disputed points, but what's important is not to shutdown the political life in the country," he added.
"I discussed with them many political issues, especially regarding what happened in the latest parliamentary sessions," Jumblatt further told the daily.
Arab FMs Meet in Confusing Decisions
In their "emergency" meeting on Thursday in Cairo, the Arab League's (AL) Foreign Ministers decided to request a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians in accordance to the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter; yet later, they retrieved their decision.
Al-Akhbar daily noted the obvious confusion of the said Arab FMs decision in their Cairo meeting, during which they discussed "hot" matters related to Syria, and Sudan.
The final statement distributed on news agencies at mid-night, assigned Morocco with the duty to request a UNSC council resolution to protect the Syrian civilians in accordance with Chapter 7. This was before they retrieved the statement and erase "Chapter 7".
Moreover, the Arab FMs called upon the Syrian regime to allow the international observers deployed on Syrian territories to conduct their mission "unconditionally".
It's worth mentioning that Chapter 7 of the UN Charter permits the exploitation of "force" to solve disputes; which was later removed from the meeting's final statement, in a bid to erase all attempts of using "force", but rather give space for a more diplomatic, political solution.
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
