Lebanon: Media Reaction - November 20, 2008

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001657 STATE FOR NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/PPD, R, INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT, NSC - ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - November 20, 2008 Atmospherics: -------------- Visits by the British Foreign Minister and the French Prime Minister to Beirut were given top billing in the Lebanese press. Security investigations and the continuous pursuit of Fatah Al-Islam leaders were also underscored in headlines and front-page lead stories. The press also highlighted the eighth report by the U.N. Secretary General on the implementation of UNSCR 1701. A commentator noted that the French and British visits reflect "renewed" European interest in Lebanon as helping stability in the region. The Europeans seem satisfied with the developments in Lebanon following the Doha Agreement, and are emphasizing the "positive Syrian role in these developments." One editorialist noted that Lebanon should put, once and for all, an end to its fears of a deal at its expense between the international community and Syria. Selected Headlines -------------- "Awad's (the new prince of Fatah Al-Islam) Fate Will Be Decided Within Hours: He Should Either Turn Himself In or His Hiding Place Will Be Invaded (by the Lebanese Army" Pro-Syria Ad-Diyar "Ban Ki Moon In His Eighth Report About UNSCR 1701: The Countries in the Region Should Respect the Ban on Weapons" Pro-Hariri Al-Mustaqbal "The French Prime Minister in Beirut Today; British Contacts To Continue Implementation of International Resolutions in Lebanon" Pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq "Miliband to Al-Hayat: A Window of Opportunities in the Region and We Do not Seek to Change the Iranian Regime" pan-Arab Al-Hayat "Fillion (the French Prime Minister) in Beirut Boosts the Issue of Privatization" Independent Al-Balad Block Quotes: -------------- Q "Miliband in Beirut: Linkage Versus Divisions?" an editorial by Rafiq Khoury in centrist Al-Anwar (11/20): "...Miliband believes that the region's crises are interlinked and need a comprehensive solution. He believes that the only way to solve the Palestinian conflict is to deal with it as part of a comprehensive solution that would also include the Iranian nuclear discord in addition to other issues. Miliband used this same logic during his visit to Beirut when he noted that there will be no stability in the world without stability in the Middle East and no stability in the Middle East without stability in Lebanon. ...In contrast, President (sic!) Obama, who will be facing unprecedented challenges,...has to think in a different way. It is dangerous for the United States to insist on solving all crises together because this will lead to no solutions anywhere. ...As for Beirut, the time has come to put a stop to all fears about possible deals with Syria at Lebanon's expense every time a European or an American official visits Syria or Iran. ...Everyone is saying what Miliband said that 'we have not lost our focus on Lebanon's importance,' and like Rice said, 'Washington is not prepared to make a deal at Lebanon's expense...' What is important is that the Lebanese themselves play their role in building their state in order to protect Lebanon's future." Sison