Sayyed Nasrallah Warns of US-led Sort War, Syrian Ambassador Committed to Diplomatic Standards
The Lebanese situation is escalating; whether on the psychological or concrete levels. While the cabinet seeks relieving its citizens and public sector employees, the Presidential appeals for dialogue are still ongoing. With all these concerns, Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah expressed fear over the Lebanese situation, in light of the US-led campaigns in the region.
All these issues made the headlines of the major Lebanese dailies in their Thursday edition.
Sayyed Nasrallah: Resistance Subject to Soft War
Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah confirmed that the region is living in very tough and hard situations, indicating that the US has launched a soft war against the resistance.
During a speech he delivered on the third annual graduation ceremony of the sons and daughters of the resistance martyrs, His Eminence indicated that the scenes of chaos, killings and poverty, are deliberately spread by figures that tools of the US.
Sayyed Nasrallah believed that the battle is now different, and the current local, regional and international data and circumstances cannot be scaled to those of the July 2006 war. However, Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the whole region is living tough circumstances, stressing that the resistance is facing challenges.
Cabinet to Meet People's Demands
In addition to the challenges dubbed by Sayyed Nasrallah, the Lebanese cabinet convened on Wednesday to discuss funding the ranks and salaries chain, at the time when a strike was held outside the Grand Serail, demanding the government to start taking measures for real change in this regard.
According to sources, as-Safir daily noted that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is committed to what the ministerial committees came up with; i.e. to pay raises starting July, and raise the ranks of teachers to six, in each of the public sectors alone.
Also, Mikati noted that a meeting will be held for the broad committee next Tuesday, in order to adopt the appropriate decision in presence of all concerned parties, the daily added.
On another hand, al-Jomhouriyah daily revealed according to the Grand Serail sources, that PM Mikati expressed content regarding the Wednesday meeting's outcome, as the whole government expressed consensus on this issue.
Suleiman to Renew Calls for Dialogue
Almost in the same atmosphere, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman stressed a couple of issues regarding many local aspects and how to tackle them. During the annual fast-breaking feast organized in the Baadbda Palace, Suleiman announced that he will renew his calls and efforts to guarantee restoring the dialogue table, saying that those who don't participate should hold responsibility of its failure.
On this level, he stressed the importance of encouraging the dialogue teams to go forward despite all challenges to agree on a national defense strategy that Lebanon needs, and to tackle the arms issue from its many aspects.
Syrian Ambassador Committed to Diplomatic Standards
On a different level, Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdul Karim Ali confirmed that the stance he launched after Lebanese President Michel Suleiman's protest appeal against Syrian violations, did not insult Suleiman. In an interview with al-Liwaa newspaper, Ambassador Ali clarified that he is committed to all diplomatic standards.
He stated that the notice he received from Lebanon is only a letter that brings to the forefront the situation, and exchanges information between Lebanon and Syria. Ambassador Ali indicated that the Lebanese Army is exerting a lot of efforts to monitor the borders, yet hoped it would demonstrate more strictness in pursuing armed groups.
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
