Bassil Expels "Israeli" Ambassador, Progress in Electricity
Lebanon moves into security plan.
Amid the various security tensions that governed the Lebanese arena, the Interior ministry announced a security plan to be implemented for a month overall Lebanese territories.
This comes as the government is scheduled to meet Wednesday with 73-item agenda on top of which are rejecting TVA increase proposal and approving renting electricity ships.
Meanwhile, the issue of expelling the "Israeli" ambassador in Cyprus from a conference in which the Lebanese Oil Minister Gibran Bassil was present is still interacting.
Bassil to Cypriots: Either Lebanese Delegation or "Israeli" Ambassador
"Al-Akhbar" Lebanese daily reported that "upon his invitation to an oil conference on oil, Bassil warned the Cypriot authorities of the presence of the "Israeli" ambassador in the conference."
In an interview with the daily, Bassil said that "upon our arrival to Cyprus, we sensed attempts of pressure to allow the participation of the "Israeli" ambassador, but again we refused to attend the session."
"Before entering the conference hall, we were informed that the "Israeli" ambassador is there," the minister added and pointed out that "as if there was a tacit agreement to embarrass the Lebanese delegation."
He further confirmed that "the Lebanese delegation refused to enter and when the Cypriot President entered we told him "either the Lebanese delegation or the "Israeli" ambassador."
"The negotiations took place on the door of the hall, the Cypriots proposed that the "Israeli" ambassador will leave as soon as we enter the hall or that we enter and then the "Israeli" ambassador would leave, but we refused," Bassil explained.
Security Plan Kicked Off
On another level, the Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel announced that his ministry is to kick off a security plan overall Lebanese territories on Wednesday afternoon.
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese daily, Charbel said the "as the security plan will begin in Beirut, there will be no political cover or protection for anyone who violated the law."
"No one will be protected. This is what every politician who attempts to interfere in the work of the official authorities will find out," the minister emphasized.
Charbel also refused to reveal any of the security plan's details to preserve the "element of surprise."
For its part, "al-Akhbar" quoted Charbel as saying " the plan will not be limited to checkpoints, but will include raids on locations the most wanted are known to frequent."
He further revealed to the daily that "he had met recently with Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, who urged him to tighten security measures in the southern suburbs of Beirut."
"Sheikh Qassem assured me that Hizbullah does not support any criminal in the suburbs and asked me to pursue all those who are wanted," Charbel clarified.
The minister also highlighted to the daily that " for certain political reasons, media is focusing on Beirut's southern suburbs."
"But what is going around in that area is happening across Lebanon," he affirmed.
On the security measures, the daily learned that " the Lebanese Army will undertake the security procedures in coordination with the Internal Security Forces via a joint operations room."
"The plan will be of a comprehensive nature and will not be limited to the capital alone," it mentioned.
Gov't To More Productivity
For his part, Prime Minister Najib Mikati hailed the efforts exerted by the Interior Minister to maintain stability amid the difficult situation the country is passing through.
"I hope this would be considered as the basis for fortifying the security situation in the long term," Mikati told "as-Safir".
The PM also noted that "President Michel Suleiman supports the Interiotr ministry efforts."
In parallel, the government is to convene Wednesday to discuss the security measures in addition to major livelihood issues.
"As-Safir" viewed that "the government once again faces the test of providing a political umbrella for the security plan, whether through its full support for the security forces or through activating the productivity of the government."
This issue was discussed during a meeting between House Speaker Nabih Berri and Mikati.
In this context, "as-Safir" reported that "the two officials have agreed on the need to consolidate an agreement reached between the different parties to improve the government's performance."
"They stressed the importance of giving a fresh impetus to the deal reached between the president, the speaker and the PM earlier in the month on the consolidation of the government's work," the daily said.
It quoted Mikati that "I expect more productivity if the government continues to work on the same pace."
He also expected that a series of appointments of civil servants will be approved next week. "The government will address the issue of contracts to rent power-generating ships during its session."
"I expect a consensus to be reached on that matter after I inform the ministers of the notes I discussed with Energy Minister Gebran Bassil. We have consulted] the best international lawyers to set the best contract to rent the ships," Mikati said.
Source: Lebanese dailies, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
