DAILY SCOPE: Lebanese Presidential Impasse Threatens Lebanon
Local Editor
NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
AS-SAFIR
African Role in ‘Storm', Donors Conference Excludes Iran
AN-NAHAR
Yemen: War of Cities Escalating, Border Clashes Widening
Yemeni FM: Retreat of Houthis from Cities Condition for Negotiations
AL-AKHBAR
Saudi Arabia Trying to Extend War in Life
Lebanese Newspapers on Monday focused on the Presidential vacuum that has not seen any solution so far, with top officials assuring the importance of resolving the impasse soon. Also, papers touched on the ongoing Saudi Aggression on Yemen, which completed its first month on Sunday.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Warns of Chaos if No President Elected--- AN-NAHAR
Head of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri warned in comments published in local newspapers As-Safir and An-Nahar on Monday that boycotting the parliamentary session would lead to chaos in the country, accusing "those who are obstructing legislation on the pretext of presidential vacuum are also boycotting the elections sessions."
Berri stressed that the "parliament and the cabinet are not responsible for the presidential vacuum... they cause diseases and we're seeking the remedy... this is the truth." The speaker reiterated that he will not carry out further contacts with the political arch-foes to convince them to attend the "urgent session."
Berri has been recently angered with the Christian parliamentary blocs' decision to boycott a session that he intends to call for to approve urgent issues, including the wage scale for the public sector and the food safety draft-law.
MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum.
President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.
Lebanese PM Expresses Concern over Government--- AS-SAFIR
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has expressed concern over the rising dispute between the country's different factions, which could paralyze the government.
In remarks to As-Safir daily published on Monday, Salam urged all parties to be "wise and confront the difficult situation that the country is living."
Disputes "could lead to more unwanted clashes," he said, hoping that the dialogue between different parties would help limit the tension.
Baabda Palace has been vacant since President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May 2014. The vacuum at the presidential palace has had crippling effects on the parliament and the cabinet.
Mansour in Hadramout to Prepare for Talks? --- As-Safir
On the Yemeni file, AS-Safir newspaper said that the ousted President Abed Rabbo Hadi Mansour has returned to Hadramout, wondering whether this would be a preliminary step to start dialogue. Meanwhile, a diplomatic source assured that the Arab and Western countries are preparing for a meeting for major donors to reconstruct Yemen, after the Saudi assault on Yemen ends.
Also, according to Yemen-Press, Saudi Arabia has carried out fresh assaults on Yemen, bombarding several places across the impoverished country including the capital Sana'a. According to local media reports, Saudi fighter jets pounded Faj Attan, al-Nahdin, and al-Arqoub districts in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, early on Monday.
A huge explosion happened in the Faj Attan district after the Saudi fighter jets targeted a missile depot there. Several people were reportedly killed in the Saudi raid. The Yemeni air defense system shot at the Saudi warplanes after they entered Sana'a airspace, the website added.
Saudi fighter jets also carried out several airstrikes in the Safra district in the northwestern province of Sa'ada. Artillery shells fired by Saudi forces also hit two other districts in Sa'ada.
Bush Voices Objection to N-Talks with Iran --- NY TIMES
Ex-US president George Bush sharply criticized Obama's foreign policy in a closed-door meeting with hundreds of Jewish donors in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the New York Times reported.
Bush also expressed "skepticism about the Obama administration's pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran," according to the Times. He suggested that it was not wise to lift sanctions against Iran and said that Washington "risked losing leverage if it did so."
Bush warned that a possible nuclear deal would be bad for American national security in the long term.
Australian Doctor Joins ISIS --- THE GUARDIAN
The Guardian revealed on Monday that Australia is alert to a new threat of professionals defecting to the so-called "ISIL", the immigration minister says, confirming a doctor has defected to the terrorist organisation.
Peter Dutton, who is also acting foreign affairs minister, said Tareq Khamleh, an Adelaide doctor, had left for Syria some time in March, according to security agencies.
Khamleh has appeared in a propaganda video for "ISIL", calling himself Abu Yusuf, urging medical professionals to work for "ISIL".
Stances & Positions
Qassem: US-"Israeli" Scheme Failed in the Region --- Media Relations
Deputy Hizbullah Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem said that the Saudi assault has led to the destruction of Yemen just like "Israel" destroyed Gaza, yet it cannot destroy the will of the Yemeni people.
The events taking palce in Yemen today reveal the failure of US-"Israeli" scheme in the region, Sheikh Qassem said.
Source: al-Ahed news
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