Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese and pan-Arab newspapers Sunday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
An-Nahar: Rai in the south
Domestic alignments that have resulted from the Arab Spring in Syria continue to manifest themselves strongly. Recently this has been shown on two separate occasions: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai’s visit to the south and the “Mass of the martyrs of the Lebanese Forces” and the speech given by party leader Samir Geagea.
This comes amid diplomatic activity at the United Nations. Michel Sleiman returned from New York yesterday after chairing the Lebanese delegation to the regular session of the 66th General Assembly of the U.N. and the General Council session on the subject of preventive diplomacy.
At the same time, Prime Minister Najib Mikati left for New York in a private jet to follow the activities of Lebanon as the president of the Security Council.
Yesterday, Patriarch Rai began his three day tour of the south, starting with Qana. He made a point to distance himself from politics. He said: “We confirm from this point on the friendship and love among all Christians and Muslims … We do not interfere in politics. Politics is the prerogative of politicians.”
During a dinner held in honor of Rai, Hezbollah representative Mohammed Fneish praised the patriarch’s remarks. He said, “We appreciate this attitude, and we consider it solid ground to re-engage and build a unified national position.”
Al-Mustaqbal: Geagea responds to Rai: We will not accept the falsification of history
Yesterday attention was turned to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea at Fouad Chehab stadium in Jounieh, where he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Lebanese forces. He spoke about Christians in the Middle East and the importance of the protection of minorities.
There, he received Telecoms Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui and his predecessor Charbel Nahhas.
At the ceremony, Geagea denounced the Lebanese government’s support for Syrian government policy in light of the ongoing uprising.
He said that when a government "kills our brothers at home, or in Syria or in the region, or in the world, without mercy or pity, it is not a party to the common good …”
Geagea added that the attitude of the current Lebanese government does not reflect the image of Lebanese freedom. Turning to Palestine, he said, “Our joy in the Arab Spring would not be complete until the completion of the Lebanese and Palestinian springs. The Palestinian spring is on the verge of blooming, asking for recognition by the United Nations for full membership.”
Turning to Lebanon, Geagea said that “the Lebanese spring has continued to suffer since the [2005] Cedar Revolution, under the weight of illegal weapons… The survival of the illegal weapons in Lebanon, is no longer justified, or acceptable.”
Al-Hayat: Rai receives a full welcome in the south
Yesterday saw two scenes of Christian leaders on opposite ends of the political spectrum making statements. Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai visited the south following controversial remarks he made in France earlier this month in which he indicated support for Syrian government policy regarding civilian protesters in the ongoing uprising. Meanwhile Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea denounced the Lebanese government’s support for Syrian government policy.
Rai’s tour of the south began yesterday, with a visit to the coastal city of Tyre and the town of Qana, where he paid his respects at the tombs of the martyrs of the 1996 massacre. He then went to Marjayoun. He praised the people for their sacrifices. He said, “How beautiful it would be if Christianity and Islam met.”
At the same time, at the Fouad Chehad stadium, Geagea called on Christians in the Middle East to “engage in the heart of the suffering peoples of the region without fear.” And he emphasized that the need for this can be seen in the suffering of Syrian villages every day.