An Nahar

Syrian protesters demonstrate for international protection

For the first time since the start of the anti-government protests in Syria in mid-March, thousands of Syrians took the streets in various cities demanding “international protection” and calling for international observers to visit the country.

On the Syrian Revolution’s Facebook page the protesters demanded the entry of the media and the protection of civilians. They chanted in English: “Game over, Bashar Assad” during the protests which were violently broken up by security forces leading to the killing of 8 people.

The protests coincided with a visit by the Syrian opposition to Moscow. There they asked Russia to play a more positive role in the crisis given Russian President Dimitri Medvedev’s comments that terrorists and extremists were among parts of the opposition.

Meanwhile, U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Victoria Noland said the U.S. wanted to speed up the process next week at the United Nations where Western countries are trying to issue a harsher statement condemning the Syrian government.

As-Safir

Jumblatt: Hezbollah can prove itself innocent

After calm set in with a resolution to the controversial electrify bill, Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government is now facing a number of pressing issues given the additional burdens Lebanese citizens are facing.

Private school tuition fees have increased more than one can handle and the government should take a leading role in this matter.

Sources close to Mikati said that the prime minister has launched a productive workshop to study issues that are of great concern to citizens. Results of the workshop will be revealed in the next few days which might include new appointments in the administration in parallel with talks between the government and the General Labor Union.

This comes at a time when the government is heading toward one of the most politically sensitive phases involving the financing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir that he supported financing the tribunal especially that a big segment of the Lebanese believe in this tribunal and have hopes that the court can reveal the truth. Moreover, Lebanon cannot afford to face sanctions from the international community.

“I don’t think Hezbollah lacks the ability to get lawyers or that it needs someone to defend the [party], I even think that Hezbollah can argue with the tribunal to prove itself innocent,” Jumblatt said.

Al Akhbar

Rai speaks on behalf of Rome

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai crossed all red lines set by the country’s political factions regarding the situation in Syria. This is how Rai is: he refuses to come in second. The Maronite church is in a new phase.

Two years ago, the Vatican placed great interest in what it coined: ”preserving the Christian presence in the East.”

The Vatican’s fears over this issue drove it to ask Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir to resign and monitored the election of Rai since he was the most qualified among the bishops to achieve the Vatican’s vision.

Therefore, when Rai visits France, he carries the issue of Syria with a point of view and concerns prepared by the Vatican. He also carries several questions regarding what measures big countries intend on taking to ensure the preservation of the Christian presence in the East.

Sources told Al -Akhbar that a delegation headed by Rai will head to Damascus to meet with Assad, since Rai’s position does not only represent the Maronite church, but also the Syriac, Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Al-Joumhouria

France advises Lebanon to prevent repercussions from the Syrian crisis

Nothing really changed on the international scene except for the U.S. measures taken on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, preparations by the US, Israel and Palestine to face the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations and Interpol issuing arrest warrants for Moammar Gadhafi, his son Seif al-Islam and head of the Libyan intelligence Abdallah al-Snousi.

The new development in the Syrian situation was the decision by Japan to freeze Assad’s assets as well as that of his deputy and interior minister.

While Syria prepares to receive the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi to discuss ways to end the Syrian crisis, Syria’s top presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban prepares to visit Moscow after it received members of the Syrian opposition.

Meanwhile, during Rai’s visit to France, sources told Al Joumhouria that President Nicolas Sarkozy made it clear to Rai that Lebanon should take all necessary measures to prevent any negative effects on the country as a result of events in Syria.