DAILY SCOPE: Lebanese Army Ready for Any Confrontation on Borders
Local Editor
NEWSPAPERS HEDALINES:
AS-SAFIR:
Any Role to Saudi Arabia and Qatar? What is Lebanese Diplomacy Doing?
Attempt to Condemn Hizbullah at ‘Human Rights Council'
AL-MUSTAQBAL:
Berri Expects Solution after Nuclear File
AN-NAHAR:
New Givings Regarding Abducted Soldiers with Al-Nusra
DAILY STAR:
Army Presence Reassures Christians Facing ISIS
Lebanese newspapers on Monday focused on the different domestic issues related to the attempt to condemn Hizbullah at the UN for its presence in Syria, the developments on the abducted soldiers by al-Nusra Front, and the latest developments on the presidential impasse.
On the international level, papers shed light on the Syrian crisis from its different angles.
As-Safir daily said that Qatar and Saudi Arabia are reportedly leading a campaign for the adoption of a statement by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that slams Hizbullah's presence in Syria.
According to the newspaper issued on Monday, the two Gulf countries are seeking to include a clause in the closing statement of the council's annual meeting to condemn Hizbullah's participation in the war in Syria.
But Lebanon's foreign ministry entered a diplomatic battle to stop such a move, said the newspaper, adding that "the ministry has held contacts with several member states to urge them not to include such a clause in the statement and to only refer to "foreign fighters" present in Syria.
The ministry has stressed that the priority of the Lebanese authorities at the current stage is to safeguard stability and avoid anything that creates chaos, said as-Safir.
Last year, Lebanon thwarted a similar attempt after Riyadh and Doha reacted positively to its demand not to condemn Hizbullah, which is fighting alongside troops loyal to Syrian President Bahsar Assad.
On the presidential impasse, al-Mustaqbal newspaper said House Speaker Nabih Berri expects positive developments in the presidential deadlock after a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
The daily quoted Berri as saying that any agreement between the P5+1 group of powers and Tehran would lead to a "satisfactory atmosphere in the region, including Lebanon, which is a fertile ground for solutions and settlements." Berri told his visitors, according to the newspaper, that the nuclear deal would help elect a new president and would reflect positively on the dialogue between the rival parties.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May last year.
On another note, well-informed sources revealed to as-Safir that the ‘Ahrar al-Sham' movement is still linked to al-Qaeda and a major deal of its leaders view head of al-Qaeda movement Ayman al-Zawahiri as their major reference in matters of ‘Jihad' and as the liaison officer between the two movements.
An-Nahar newspaper stressed that Head of the Lebanese army Jean Qahwaji assured that the army is ready for any confrontation on the borders, while sources told the paper that the Qalamoun battle is soon to take place and will be directly linked to al-Zabadani battle especially as the Syrian army was successful in blocking all roads of support to the terrorist armed groups. The source also noted that more than one side will be involved in fighting the terrorist groups in the coming battle and that Hizbullah is preparing for it in quality and quantity.
As for the abducted soldiers, Chief of the General Security Abbas Ibrahim informed Army General Jean Qahwaji that there are new developments concerning the issue of the abducted soldiers, stressing that efforts are ongoing to free them.
In the details, the paper quoted sources that the Nusra Front wants to release the soldiers to get rid of their burden especially in light of expected battles with Daesh, in which al-Nusra might lose influence or be forced to retreat.
Source: al-Ahed news
