DAILY SCOPE: Salam: Oil Issue Soon in Cabinet
Local Editor
NEWSPAPERS:
ASSAFIR:
Salam to As-Safir: Oil File soon in Cabinet
Army Does Not Back Down from Arsal Measures...And Tight Ambush in Assal el Wared
"ISIS" Owns "Tao"... and Expands Towards Lebanon
AN-NAHAR:
Army Arrests Yusuf Ghamrawi in Tebaneh, Confiscates Weapons
AL-AKHBAR:
Riyadh's Osseiri: President within Two Months
THE DAILYSTAR:
Army defends Arsal measures after fallout
Salam: Cabinet Will Discuss Oil Issue Soon
As the year 2014 comes to a close, the horizon before Lebanon seems to open wide with not only the Future-Hizbullah talks that kicked off a week ago, but also with the new dialogue to be held between the Christian powers in Lebanon. Also, before the new year has come, the Lebanese army succeeded in its plan and imposed with its might security on the Arsal outskirts; a process which seems to gain its fruits even in light of the tough climate.
As-Safir newspaper breaks the day-count of presidential void to write that "There will be no Christmas tree, nor will the President or his wife distribute holiday gifts to the employees and workers and their children this year, neither will there be any diplomatic meetings and greeting letters on the occasion.
Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam on this note told as-Saifr "Our major wish for the new year is to elect a President for the Republic, so that the institutions would get back on track and the state affairs would be organized, other things come later for which we will find the appropriate solutions."
Salam praised the Future and Hizbullah dialogue, describing it as a "major political development". He hoped that it would positively impact the performance of the government and state institutions."
Concerning the oil exploration file, Salam said "The governing body of the petroleum sector will soon present its vision to Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian, who, in turn, will hand [the report] over to me, so that I could put it on the cabinet table to take a decision."
He further told the daily that the oil issue is ‘thorny and complex', adding "yet that does not mean we should allow any delay [in the agreement] and miss opportunities."
Expressing hopes that no obstacles would arise in the cabinet oil talks, Salam said "I hope there will be no political obstacles, and in case there were I hope they would be removed; the oil issue must be approved."
For its part, al-Akhbar newspaper said it is no longer a secret that Daesh terrorist group has the intention to execute major attacks on the villages of the middle and northern Bekaa valley, to release pressure and try to obtain fuel and food.
According to security sources, al-Akhbar said that Daesh is in control of the outskirts adjacent to the Lebanese borders, especially after the disperse and scattering of the remaining so-called Free Syrian Army members and many others joining Daesh.
A security official also told the paper that "Some are trying to draw an incorrect image to the security measures being carried out by the army, assuring that the measures are routine and regular army inspections at the checkpoints as well as regular search of the vehicles, with the aim of protecting the people of Arsal and the entire region as well."
As for al-Jomhouriya newspaper, it quoted well-informed sources that the Lebanese army has succeeded in isolating Lebanon from the areas of ongoing clashes at the borders, stressing that the International community trusts the capability of the Lebanese army and the measures it is taking to fortify the borders.
As for the long-awaited meeting between the Christian key figures in Lebanon, the paper said that Head of the free Patriotic Movement Gen. Michel Aoun and head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea are more likely meet in the first week of January.
Sources told the paper "Preliminary talks have come a long way, discussions are now focused on setting a tentative date for the meeting; likely between 2-3 January."
The Daily Star, meanwhile, touched on the Lebanese army security measures, noting that many of Arsal's residents already have permits to cross to the town's outskirts and the protestors are only a minority, according to an Army source.
"A large number of people have already obtained permits and those harmed by these measures are actually those who want terrorism," the source told the paper on condition of anonymity.
