Mikati Delivers US Support of Lebanese Dialogue, Pope Remains on Schedules Visit
While the situation in Syria is still deteriorating, and Egypt is blundering in the aftermath of regime change attempts, Lebanon seeks its way throughout all its problems, via more diplomatic means.
The cabinet seems keener on restoring the social, economic, and political wheel to its normal course, for what best serves the national interests.
Mikati: Sabotaging Security in Tripoli Targets Me, Government
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati described Friday's Ministerial Session as "productive and fast", hoping that this atmosphere would spread to the upcoming sessions.
Commenting on the 2012 budget advance draft law that passed, Mikati stated in an interview with as-Safir newspaper, that the said proved exceeding many procedural issues, therefore restoring the wheel of project implementation. He further indicated that this will reflect positively on the national economy.
Regarding the constant claims accusing him of arming groups in Tripoli, Mikati asserted, "This is completely unacceptable; I arm [Tripoli] with education and projects, but never will my culture be the culture of weapons, but the culture of peace and education."
"Any attempt to sabotage Tripoli and its stability, targets me, the country, and the government," Mikati iterated.
Also in this context, sources close to Mikati told al-Jomhouriyah daily, that "what happened in Tripoli harmed Mikati, as one of the city's figures, and as the Prime Minister," wondering "is it logical that he would harm himself this bad in the city which he had always considered as the city of education and scholars."
US Dose Backs Lebanese Dialogue
As-Safir daily believed that a few weeks after the Royal Saudi dose that helped re-launch the Lebanese dialogue; a similar US dosage was delivered by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
The daily indicated that "what's noticeable about the US dose, is praising the government, army, and the Lebanese [Central] Bank; an issue which Mikati informed the cabinet during the regular session [...]."
During the said session, Mikati stressed the importance of Lebanon's self-distancing policy which proved its effectiveness. Also, Mikati said that Clinton expressed Washington's support to the Lebanese national dialogue, reiterating the US administration's rejection of establishing any buffer zone on the Lebanese-Syrian borders, as-Safir daily added.
Pope to Lebanon in September
A diplomatic source confirmed to as-Safir daily that the Pope Benedict XVI will have Lebanon on his schedule between 14 and 16 September. The source added that visit comes as part of the 3-month-long official Vatican schedule.
Egypt: Military Council Wins Over Revolution
On the regional level, the Egyptian file made the front pages of all dailies; as a third of the Egyptian parliament was revoked, after finding that the electoral law articles, upon which political parties claimed candidacy, were unconstitutional.
On this level, al-Akhbar daily believed that the "military council" reaped what it has been sowing since the revolution erupted. After suspending the parliament, the whole authority was restored to the military council.
The daily added that "the image that became clear yesterday was being prepared for some time now, but being busy with political and narrow interests turned everyone's blind eye to the total situation; the army will not abandon the rule, and if it did, it will hand in power to who is on its side, or at least to whom will not harm its interests."
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
