As-Safir

Most of Lebanon is in the dark after the cessation of Zahrani

MEA’s crisis deepens

The resistance thwarts and Israeli attack in the south

This week, after the United States was found to be spying in Lebanon, the enemy [Israel] continued new violations of national sovereignty, and the resistance was able to thwart attempts to penetrate its communications network between the towns of Srifa and Deir Kifa.

Other spying operations that were thwarted by the resistance include one in December 2010 in Wadi al-Kaysia and another in a similar operation in October 2009 in the district of Marjayoun, where the resistance thwarted espionage in coordination with the Lebanese Army.

This raises questions about how spies were able to access the area in the first place, especially since it is in a location near the headquarters of the French contingent operating within the framework of UNIFIL.

The head of the executive board of Hezbollah said the discovery of these devices shows the vigilance of the resistance in addressing the Israeli enemy.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati has turned a political page in the financing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He promised that a workshop will be launched to meet the priorities of the Cabinet.

Similarly, Jumblatt decided not to dwell on the subject of false witnesses, saying that the climate of tranquility and stability must prevail, noting that his priority is dialogue and reconciliation.

The interruption of the Zahrani power plant Friday in the south left three quarters of Lebanon, including some parts of Beirut, in the dark. It is believed the disruption was intentional.

Regarding the MEA crisis, the pilots continue to strike due to failed mediation. The pilots began a strike last week after one of their colleagues was dismissed while undergoing cancer treatment after 38 years of service.

Change and Reform bloc leader Michel Aoun told OTV that it was imperative to resolve the situation in the interest of upholding a national institution such as MEA.

An-Nahar

The Cabinet stumbles and Hariri rejects Nasrallah statements

Lebanon sees tension in the north and the south over electricity

Feltman in Beirut next week for talks on the implications of the Syrian uprising

While a decision still hasn’t been reached on the financing of the tribunal, questions are being raised over Mikati’s recent appearances. The Cabinet will convene next Wednesday on the latest developments. A major issue right now is the cross border gunfire from Syria causing casualties on the Lebanese side. Meanwhile the disruption of the Zahrani power plant caused a reduction of power by 37 percent.

On the agenda for the Cabinet is a draft resolution on wages and a request by the Ministry of Tourism to fill a number of vacant positions. The president met with Nahhas regarding wages.

In the north, a correspondent for An-Nahar reported that the security situation has deteriorated dramatically in Akkar. Gunfire from the Syrian side, where fighting is taking place, has crossed into Lebanon causing deaths and injuries to civilians.

Meanwhile, much of Lebanon was in the dark yesterday due to the disruption at the Zahrani power plant, which provides the country with 430 megawatts of energy. The decision of the plant’s staff to shut down the facility to protest what they called an EDL decision to replace a 40 MVA transformer with a smaller unit, sets a dangerous precedent.

In other news, in response to Nasrallah’s speech Thursday night, Hariri hit back at the Hezbollah chief, accusing him of compromising the Special Tribunal for the sake of staying in power. “[Nasrallah’s] speech shows his deep disturbance over funding the international tribunal,” said Hariri through his press office.

And next week, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs (and former ambassador to Lebanon) Jeffrey Feltman will be in Lebanon to discuss the Syrian crisis.

Al-Joumhouria

What does next week hold for Feltman?

Jeffrey Feltman will be in Beirut very soon. The purpose of his visit, according to Lebanese officials, is to warn of the danger of any provocation on the southern front towards Israel; and emphasize the need for Lebanon to respect the internationally imposed sanctions on Syria; warning against attempts to circumvent the sanctions; and make sure that Lebanon carries out its obligations of funding the international tribunal.

Mikati surprised people by agreeing to fund the tribunal. Court spokesman Marten Youssef said, "The financing of the tribunal will help facilitate the work of the court,"

In the Netherlands, the president of the STL, Judge David Baragwanath said he will respond directly to questions from Lebanese citizens and journalists via Twitter next week.