Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Saturday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

Al-Liwaa

Sleiman calls Assad to condemn the attacks

It is not surprising that Lebanon is implicating itself in the explosions that targeted the Syrian capital yesterday. It is a serious development in the Syrian crisis that erupted nearly 10 months ago, in large part as a result of the political forces that control the country.

According to a high-level Syrian source, Syrian intelligence officers were the targets of the attacks but survived as they were not present in the building in Kafer Sousah at the time.

What was notable were Syrian Foreign Ministry statements that said Lebanon had warned Damascus two days earlier of Al-Qaeda member activity, which brings to mind Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s accusations that this group was carrying out acts of smuggling into Syria through illegal border crossing in Arsal, Bekaa.

Ghosn’s statement raised fears that Arsal might turn into a theatre for Syrian Army activity in the context of apprehending what the Syrian source described as “terrorist elements” in revenge for the two bombings.

For his part, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri did not hesitate to point to the Syrian authorities, accusing the government of specializing in terrorism. He also suggested that the blasts targeted the delegation of Arab observers, who had recently arrived in Syria to help negotiate an end to the crisis.

Meanwhile, President Michel Sleiman called Assad to denounce the bombings in the capital. And Hezbollah accused the United States, saying such attacks would not weaken the resistance.

Amid these developments, after the last Cabinet meeting regarding the resolution on the wage increase, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed that he was coordinating with the president on the matter.

Al-Joumhouria

Western diplomats warn Lebanon against endorsing claims of Al-Qaeda presence [in Lebanon]

The week ended on a bloody note with the events in Syria. The explosions that targeted the heart of Syrian security in Damascus, killing 40 and wounding more than 150, drew many questions marks given its coinciding with the arrival of Arab observers. Everyone had their say on who they believed was behind the attacks: Damascus blamed Al-Qaeda; the Syrian opposition Damascus while Hezbollah accused the United States.

The events in Syria were preceded by statements from Lebanese Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn in which he hinted at “information concerning operations taking place at some of the illegal border crossings, particularly Arsal, where weapons are being smuggled and some terrorist members belonging to Al-Qaeda were entering under the guise of being members of the Syrian opposition.”

However, what is for certain is that there is a new equation vis-a-vis the Syrian crisis and that Syria has entered its wars through Lebanon and Iraq. For, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the two “suicide” bombings targeted two security centers in the capital, and were “the works of Al-Qaeda.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdesi said the operation bore traces of the Salafist ideology of Al-Qaeda. He confirmed that “the Lebanese Defense Ministry had warned the Syrian side of the crossing of groups belonging to Al-Qaeda via the border village of Arsal into Syria.” Makdissi indicated that “two days after the warnings and Lebanese intelligence the Syrian security base was targeted.”

Western diplomatic sources warned Lebanese authorities against “endorsing the claims of the presence of Al-Qaeda in Lebanon given the ramifications this will have on the country’s security and stability at a time when there is reluctance to get involved in the Syrian crisis through a security [pretext].”

The sources urged the government “to deny reports claiming Al-Qaeda members were crossing from Lebanon to Damascus.”

As-Sharq

Hariri: What Damascus is saying is unacceptable, government throwing Lebanon onto path of terror

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said “there are some in the Lebanese government trying to throw Lebanon onto the path of terror in order to protect the crimes of the Syrian regime, keeping in mind that this regime specializes in exporting terrorism.” On his Twitter account, Hariri said the claims by the Syrian Foreign Ministry were fabrications by Damascus and some of “its tools in Lebanon.”

“This regime is trying to draw attention away from what it is doing to its people, but its plan has failed.”

Asked to comment on Hezbollah’s accusations that the United States was behind the attacks, Hariri said: “They have confused us: is it the work of Al-Qaeda or the United States?”

“This is really puzzling and I think the explosion was the product of the Syrian regime,” he added.

Asked whether Syrian President Bashar Assad was stronger than NATO, Hariri said: “Those who are weak kill, and this is his end.”

Al-Anwar

Economic Associations prepares to challenge wages decree

Given the absence of any political developments at the start of the holidays, the issue of increasing wages appeared to be a central concern for the Economic Associations, which is expected to challenge the decree in front of the Shura Council.

The General Labor Confederation suspended its strike that had been planned for next Tuesday.

A number of lawmakers in the March 14 coalition noted the differences in the statements by Cabinet ministers in the majority on the issue of the wage increase as well as the agreement that was signed by the General Labor Confederation and the Economic Associations under the auspices of the government. MP Butros Harb said the issue of peoples’ livelihoods had been turned in a political one and said that the presence of the government has become a danger, urging it to resign in order to spare the country from battles of the Don Quixote kind.

Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud reiterated Friday his objection to the wage increase that was endorsed by the government and said: “I wouldn’t be divulging a secret if I said that I am against Economy Minister Charbel Nahhas’ wage hike proposal.” But Abboud denied that there were splits in the Change and Reform bloc. “There are many views in our ranks, particularly when it comes to economic matters.”

Meanwhile, former Minister Adnan Kassar continued his discussins on the wage increase during two meetings, the first with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, the second with President Michel Sleiman.

“We consider the decision to increase wages as very harmful to the nation’s economy and it came to cancel a historic agreement that we arrived at with the GLC on the issue of adjusting salaries, one that befitted both sides. This was dropped in Cabinet ... I explained to Gen. Aoun the detailed points of view of the Economic Associations so that he is aware of the reality of the situation and understand the capabilities to the economic sectors.”

The Central News Agency said Aoun had indicated to Kassar that the government decree could be challenged in front of the Shura Council.

In his meeting with Sleiman, Kassar notified the president of the details of his visit to Rabieh [Aoun’s residence] as well as the determination of the Economic Associations to challenge the wage hike decree.