Berri Criticizes Government, Media to be Punished
Tripoli's ashes flared and the fire ball's size reached its maximum amid fears that the security tension might extend to other Lebanese regions.
This comes as the US recent warning language embeds a well prepared evil scenario for dragging Lebanon into the Syrian quagmire.
On the internal front, some prepare to remain blind on ground facts, as they continue agitating sectarian branch despite Tripoli's clashes death toll that reached 12 dead and more than hundred injured.
Shelling Fails Ceasefire
As a ceasefire was announced Wednesday in the capital of the North and particularly between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh areas, the shelling continued for the third day leading to the death of two citizens moments after ceasefire went into effect.
The Lebanese Army Command commented on the recent clashes stressing that "its units had not withdrawn from the area of clashes."
In its statement, the LA highlighted that "it is implementing a complete military plan that will help confront those violating security."
It also called "politicians, regardless of their affiliations and differences, to refrain from fueling strife in Tripoli and stop meddling in the city."
"The political powers must assume their national responsibilities during this critical time," it added.
The Army Command warned against attempts to create more tensions and exploit the regional situation "to settle internal scores that will harm all sides."
It therefore announced that it is conducting "direct dialogue with the leaders of the armed groups, especially in the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen."
LA Takes Initiative
In this context, "as-Safir" Lebanese daily commented on the LA's statement by saying: "The LA's statement came notable in its content as it included clear messages to the politicians, suggesting that the military decided to grab the initiative from them."
"This came as the experience proved they [the politicians] either lacked the ability or they supported the armed groups," the daily viewed and noted that " at this stage the LA had to expand its duties beyond the pure field work."
In parallel, a security source confirmed to "as-Safir" that the "LA is responsibly acting on the ground by combining between firmness and flexibility."
"The LA is acting as a surgeon who sometimes uses the knife to accurately remove the illness and save the patient. thus, the army uses positional force in Tripoli and avoids using excessive force i.e. used only in face of the enemy," the source emphasized.
For its part, "al-Akhbar" learned that the LA held direct meetings with field commanders of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh in Yarze.
"Army officers will continue to coordinate these meetings in the coming hours away from parliamentary and political meetings held in the city," it added.
Feltman Warns, Berri Criticizes Gov't
On the political front, the United Nations under Secretary General Jeffery Feltman mentioned that "as the crisis in Syria continues to deteriorate, the situation in Lebanon has become more precarious and the need for continued international support to the government and the Lebanese Armed Forces increasingly important."
"Tensions over domestic and security concerns remain high throughout the country and are easily exacerbated by developments in Syria," Feltman told a council meeting on the Middle East.
For His part, House Speaker Nabih Berri stated that "what Tripoli is witnessing is part of the Syrian crisis' repercussions."
"Some are trying to use the country as a base or as a corridor for dragging the country into the Syrian crisis," he told "as-Safir"
He also accused, in remarks to "an-Nahar", the government of not exerting strong efforts to resolve the current crisis.
"How can the government postponed its session till the end of the month amid the deadly clashes in Tripoli and the series of kidnappings of Syrian and Turkish nationals last weeke," he wondered.
The speaker also accused the government "of moving with the flow and not providing the necessary treatment for the illness that is threatening it."
On his decision to boycott the last national dialogue session, Berri stressed that he neither " works according to "March 14" will nor does he participate in dialogue based on Future bloc MP Fouad Siniora's conditions."
"My position saved the dialogue at this critical stage," he added.
The speaker also criticized the way media outlets dealt with the case of the 11 abducted Lebanese in Syria.
"The recklessness with which some television stations have dealt with this issue has prompted a reaction in the streets that got out of control," Berri viewed and noted that " the national security is much more important than a television scope."
Media under Control
Meanwhile, Information Minister Walid Daouq highlighted that "all options are on the National Media Council's table regarding the violations in the hostages' issue."
The NMC will meet Friday with the TV channels to tackle the uncontrolled broadcasting by some channels that failed to commit to the legal boundaries of the audio-visual law.
"As-Safir" reported that "the way some media outlets dealt with domestic events is being discussed and followed up within the highest official circles."
Source: Lebanese dailies, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
