Calm Prevails the Scene, US- ’’Israeli’’ Indictment Surprises No One
Local Editor
Any one following the Lebanese scene can clearly view that the US- backed Tribunal surprised no one. However, the real shock was that the Lebanese people received the news with unprecedented calm.
The indictment and accompanying arrest warrants that a team from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) transmitted to State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza, in addition to media leaks about the names and affiliations of suspects did not surprise anyone in Lebanon or the rest of the world. Why? The answer is clear.
The indictment's summary to more than 130-pages, which Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen has decided to keep "confidential to help Lebanese authorities fulfill their obligations to arrest the suspects" brought nothing different from the continuous series of leaks over six years. The accusation was clear and the names were announced by the media even before Mirza met the STL delegation.
No Surprise
"Pictures of the suspects were on televisions, their nom de guerre had been announced as well as the date they joined (Hizbullah). But all this was met with an unprecedented calm in the streets - from the north to the south. This scene has reflected a reality- Lebanese people, without being pressed by their leaders, are a rational people, mindful of the interests of their country more than some of (political) leaders." "As-Safir" news paper said.
Stressing that the decision came in no surprise, "As-Safir" clarified that the indictment's issuance "has raised a lot of question marks, especially in terms of the mechanism to carry out the decision and what's next after the 30-day deadline expires."
Miqati: No Strife in Lebanon
In a parallel context, Prime Minister Miqati asserts to As-Safir that there shall be no strife in Lebanon.
"The government continues its work after the adoption of the ministerial statement, and looks forward to gain the Parliament's confidence likely to hold its session next Monday." Miqati said.
In an interview with the newspaper the prime minister added: "we shouldn't create a state of panic and tension in the country as a result of an international resolution that is not up to us."
"With God's willing, things will take their normal course, whether in respect of the Lebanese judiciary and the Prosecutor General Saeed Mirza, who is to follow-up court proceedings and indictment and not the government, or in the cabinet." PM explained.
Mikati concluded by saying "the issuance of the indictment does not mean the end, there are procedures and the accused is innocent until proven guilty by properly documented evidences."
Arrest Warrants, No Indictment
For its part, "An-Nahar" has learned that the STL delegation delivered to Attorney General Saeed Mirza four sealed envelopes, each containing a copy of the indictment, to be handed over to the four suspects if they are arrested.
"An-Nahar" has also learned that Judge Mirza did not receive a copy of the indictment; rather, he was given the arrest warrants, which he is bound to carry out according to the indictment.
"Judicial sources reported that Judge Mirza immediately initiated the execution of the arrest warrants through the Central Judiciary Investigation Police headquarter at the Justice Palace." An- Nahar revealed.
Hizbullah officials declined to comment on the promulgation of the indictment and the names it identified.
Mean while, the Council of Ministers held a long session of nearly four hours during which it adopted the ministerial statement and held prolonged discussions regarding paragraph 14 of the statement (pertaining to the STL). This paragraph was ultimately adopted without any amendments to the version drafted by the ministerial statement drafting committee Wednesday evening.
Speaker Nabih Berri will reportedly set tomorrow the date for starting the ministerial statement parliamentary discussion sessions, which are expected to start as of Monday or Tuesday. President Michel Suleiman cancelled his trip to Monaco.
A key official source informed of Lebanese issues told "An-Nahar" that all eyes will be focused now on PM Najib Mikati "who went after this position in partnership with Hizbullah and its allies. He now has to preserve Lebanon's honor under tough circumstances."
"Der Spiegel's" Decision
Under the Title, "Der Spiegel's decision" "al- Akbar" newspaper noted in its editorial that the indictment was, to a large extent, in line with "Der Spiegel" information in 2009.
The newspaper clarified that since the moment of the decision of the International Tribunal indictment, the political events in Lebanon went to another place.
"It's a new stage of political conflict that increases the percentage of overlap between what is local and what is international. "On the first day after the decision, PM Najib Miqati kept walking in the line between the points while "March 14" forces found a common slogan that brought them together."
"Despite the deafening silence that Hizbullah kept Thursday, what can be described as relative satisfaction, appeared on a number of party officials and supporters." The paper noted.
"What had threatened the resistance people three years ago became a reality. Today, attitudes have become more visible, and the party is able to deal with facts, not with the illusions and expectations. But the party is well aware of that the accused in this resolution, and in subsequent resolutions, are only key leaders in the resistance. Therefore, Hizbullah can deal with the issue only from this standpoint." "al- Akhbar" said.
Any one following the Lebanese scene can clearly view that the US- backed Tribunal surprised no one. However, the real shock was that the Lebanese people received the news with unprecedented calm.
The indictment and accompanying arrest warrants that a team from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) transmitted to State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza, in addition to media leaks about the names and affiliations of suspects did not surprise anyone in Lebanon or the rest of the world. Why? The answer is clear.
The indictment's summary to more than 130-pages, which Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen has decided to keep "confidential to help Lebanese authorities fulfill their obligations to arrest the suspects" brought nothing different from the continuous series of leaks over six years. The accusation was clear and the names were announced by the media even before Mirza met the STL delegation.
No Surprise
"Pictures of the suspects were on televisions, their nom de guerre had been announced as well as the date they joined (Hizbullah). But all this was met with an unprecedented calm in the streets - from the north to the south. This scene has reflected a reality- Lebanese people, without being pressed by their leaders, are a rational people, mindful of the interests of their country more than some of (political) leaders." "As-Safir" news paper said.
Stressing that the decision came in no surprise, "As-Safir" clarified that the indictment's issuance "has raised a lot of question marks, especially in terms of the mechanism to carry out the decision and what's next after the 30-day deadline expires."
Miqati: No Strife in Lebanon
In a parallel context, Prime Minister Miqati asserts to As-Safir that there shall be no strife in Lebanon.
"The government continues its work after the adoption of the ministerial statement, and looks forward to gain the Parliament's confidence likely to hold its session next Monday." Miqati said.
In an interview with the newspaper the prime minister added: "we shouldn't create a state of panic and tension in the country as a result of an international resolution that is not up to us."
"With God's willing, things will take their normal course, whether in respect of the Lebanese judiciary and the Prosecutor General Saeed Mirza, who is to follow-up court proceedings and indictment and not the government, or in the cabinet." PM explained.
Mikati concluded by saying "the issuance of the indictment does not mean the end, there are procedures and the accused is innocent until proven guilty by properly documented evidences."
Arrest Warrants, No Indictment
For its part, "An-Nahar" has learned that the STL delegation delivered to Attorney General Saeed Mirza four sealed envelopes, each containing a copy of the indictment, to be handed over to the four suspects if they are arrested.
"An-Nahar" has also learned that Judge Mirza did not receive a copy of the indictment; rather, he was given the arrest warrants, which he is bound to carry out according to the indictment.
"Judicial sources reported that Judge Mirza immediately initiated the execution of the arrest warrants through the Central Judiciary Investigation Police headquarter at the Justice Palace." An- Nahar revealed.
Hizbullah officials declined to comment on the promulgation of the indictment and the names it identified.
Mean while, the Council of Ministers held a long session of nearly four hours during which it adopted the ministerial statement and held prolonged discussions regarding paragraph 14 of the statement (pertaining to the STL). This paragraph was ultimately adopted without any amendments to the version drafted by the ministerial statement drafting committee Wednesday evening.
Speaker Nabih Berri will reportedly set tomorrow the date for starting the ministerial statement parliamentary discussion sessions, which are expected to start as of Monday or Tuesday. President Michel Suleiman cancelled his trip to Monaco.
A key official source informed of Lebanese issues told "An-Nahar" that all eyes will be focused now on PM Najib Mikati "who went after this position in partnership with Hizbullah and its allies. He now has to preserve Lebanon's honor under tough circumstances."
"Der Spiegel's" Decision
Under the Title, "Der Spiegel's decision" "al- Akbar" newspaper noted in its editorial that the indictment was, to a large extent, in line with "Der Spiegel" information in 2009.
The newspaper clarified that since the moment of the decision of the International Tribunal indictment, the political events in Lebanon went to another place.
"It's a new stage of political conflict that increases the percentage of overlap between what is local and what is international. "On the first day after the decision, PM Najib Miqati kept walking in the line between the points while "March 14" forces found a common slogan that brought them together."
"Despite the deafening silence that Hizbullah kept Thursday, what can be described as relative satisfaction, appeared on a number of party officials and supporters." The paper noted.
"What had threatened the resistance people three years ago became a reality. Today, attitudes have become more visible, and the party is able to deal with facts, not with the illusions and expectations. But the party is well aware of that the accused in this resolution, and in subsequent resolutions, are only key leaders in the resistance. Therefore, Hizbullah can deal with the issue only from this standpoint." "al- Akhbar" said.
Delegation Not To Visit Syria
Following the promulgation of the indictment, sources told "Ad-Diyar" that the situation will not be easy; rather, there will be danger during the coming period but no important problems will currently arise.
The indictment is divided into three dossiers that cannot be opened before arrests have been made. If none of the suspects had been arrested, the indictment remains sealed and kept inside Mirza's locker.
Commenting on the announcement that the STL delegation is to visit Syria, "Ad-Diyar" assured that "it was proved to be untrue, and the three investigators didn't and will not visit Syria."
