Berri Refuses Blocking Airport Road, TV Stations Demanded to Apologize on Hostages’ Coverage
It's Lebanon , the mail. The political letters were read and the answers were received and between the two the same Lebanese scenario is repeated.
An individual incident followed by clashes on the traditional demarcation lines was accompanied by an exchange of accusations between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh about the identity of the responsible side.
This is the usual introduction to any battle. But in essence, the Syrian crisis is the real title that some dragged to the Northern arena and the Lebanese front from Tripoli's gate.
This came as the file of the kidnapped Lebanese in Syria is still on the top of Lebanese discussions after al-Fitar Feat's vacation.
Tripoli under Fire
"As-Safir" Lebanese daily commented on the clashes that left 7 people dead and dozens others injured by saying:
"There are many reasons, but the result is free death," the paper said and pointed out that "it seemed clear also that there was a real intention to continue confrontations, transfer them systematically from one axis to another, and not to allow the Lebanese Army [LA] to control the ground situation."
It further highlighted that "he who erupted the clashes intended to disable role of the LA and to show its inability to control the situation, what justifies the calls for "the establishment of the so-called "Sunnis Military Council in Tripoli."
"As-Safir" also stressed on two major points that governed the latest clashes:
- Some armed groups in both Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh have been out of any security or political control.
- Many injuries and attacks were recorded against the which leaves a series of political and security questions about the possibility of the presence of insurgents seeking to target LA in order to settle previous accounts with the military institution.
At least 10 Lebanese soldiers were among those wounded in the fighting that
broke out Monday night in the port city of Tripoli.
Meanwhile, "ad-Diyar" daily revealed that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his "Future" bloc had a major role in agitating the Nirthern security situation.
"The intense use of sophisticated weapons by hundreds of armed men as well and the readiness of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Mallouleh showed that Hariri wants to burn the current PM Mikati in Tripoli more than he is already burning."
"Hariri was able to deliver sophisticated weapons to his groups so that clashes this time would be in favor of Bab al-Tabbaneh and not Jabal Mohsen," it added and mentioned that "Hariri directs the battle of Tripoli, moment by moment, and is being briefed on the situation in the city by the Internal Security Forces, in addition to the direct contacts between Saad Hariri and head of the ISF Information Branch Brig. Gen. Wissam Hassan."
Berri: Clashes part of Syrian Crisis, Cutting Airport Road Red Line
In parallel, House Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that "the ongoing clashes in the northern city of Tripoli are merely part of the Syrian crisis' repercussions on Lebanon."
In an interview with "as-Safir", he warned that "some parties are trying to slip the country into the Syrian crisis knowing that the developments in the region can significantly affect Lebanon."
Berri urged all parties to assume their national responsibilities amid "this critical stage."
Earlier, Tuesday he called for "wisdom during a moment of madness," stressing that the "state embraces all citizens despite shortcomings and negligence."
As Berri expressed anger on the security chaos in Lebanon, he confirmed that blocking the airport road is a redline.
"The hand of whoever blocks the airport road will be cut," Berri told "as-Safir".
He added that the LA was "authorized not to allow the blocking of this vital road."
For his part, Lebanese Prime minister Najib Mikati condemned the killings, calling on the people of Tripoli to "not allow anyone to drag them into battles, which lead only to death, devastation and destruction, or serve as ammunition in the battles of others."
"We have frequently warned of the need for Lebanon not to slip into fire smoldering around Lebanon, but it is clear that there are several parties who want to implicate Lebanon in this conflict," he added.
Similarly, Tripoli Sunni Mufti Sheikh Malek Shaar called for "confiscating all illegitimate arms Tripoli."
"Arms outside South Lebanon have nothing to with the Resistance and must be confiscated," Shaar told "as-Safir".
He also stressed that the "LA is the solution. It must fully implement its role in
preserving security and strike with an iron fist anyone who threatens."
Meetings on Kidnappings:
On another level, "an-Nahar" daily reported that an "emergency security meeting will be held Wednesday at the Defense Ministry building in Yarze between the LA command and ISF to coordinate stances on how to confront the recent series of abductions in the country."
The meeting comes a day after President Michel Suleiman requested the judicial authorities "take immediate action and issue arrest warrants" for those involved in the kidnappings that have taken place following the abduction of Lebanese nationals in Syria.
For his part, the Secretary of the of al-Miqdad clan Maher al-Miqdad said that "Interior Minister Marwan Charbel requested that the family be patient for after the holidays. "
In remarks to "al-Akhbar", al-Miqdad emphasized that "Turkey is directly responsible for the safety of Hassan al-Miqdad."
Media To Apologize, Or!
On the media coverage to the hostages' issue, "as-Safir" learned that "in light of intense meetings between head of the National Audiovisual Council Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz and Information Minister Walid Daouk, it seems that there is a move to ask that media outlets respect media regulations, especially refraining from inciting and provoking sectarianism, and threatening national security."
Sources informed the daily that "the Council is likely to demand that LBCI and al-Jadeed television channels apologize for the mistakes made in the coverage of the issue of the kidnapped."
The sources pointed out that in the event the channels failed to respond, they would be ordered to close through the Communication Ministry.
Source: Lebanese dailies, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
