DAILY SCOPE: Syrian Army, Resistance Feed Armed Groups Consecutive Defeats

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

As-Safir

Sanaa: Hours of Death Before Truce

An-Nahar

Coalition Disrupts Geneva Talks: No Political Solution Without Assad Departure

Al-Akhbar

Massacre in Sanaa on the Night of Truce

Al-Liwaa

Coalition: Geneva Talks Worthless

Lebanese newspapers on Tuesday focused on different regional and domestic issues. As Lebanon still plunges in presidential void, its officials assure that they will not allow jeopardizing its national interest or security for any reason. In Syria, the Qalamoun battles continue at the time the infighting between the two extremist groups, al-Nusra front and Daesh is ongoing. As for Yemen, papers shed light on the continuous killing of the Yemeni people, even on the night after which the truce should be held.

Army General: For Prioritizing National Interest---AS-SAFIR

Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji seemingly rejects to tackle the presidential deadlock and the extension of high-ranking security officials with any side, assuring that he will carry out his duties and protect the country despite the political rift in the country.

"We should neglect the factional interests and prioritize the national interests," Qahwaji's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

Qahwaji reportedly lists a number of officers who could succeed him. However, Qahwaji expressed ire over the public debate on the appointment of a new army chief, which has negative repercussions on the military amid the delicate security situation it's facing.

The military posts in Lebanon are suffering as the result of the months-long presidential vacuum in light of the parliament's failure to elect a successor for Michel Suleiman whose tenure ended in May last year. The vacuum also threatens the ISF as chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous is set to retire in June.

Qatari Mediator Meets Nusra Official to Seal Swap Deal --- AL-HAYAT

A Qatari-appointed mediator allegedly met recently with al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front senior official to prepare for sealing a deal to release the army soldiers that were captured since August last year.

The pan-Arab daily al-Hayat newspaper reported on Tuesday that the unnamed Qatari mediator, who was recently in Istanbul, met with the head of al-Nura Front in Syria to set a "logistic formula to start implementing an agreement" with the Lebanese state.

The daily said the families of abducted soldiers and policemen expressed relief over the development. A number of soldiers and policemen were abducted by al-Nusra Front and ISIL gunmen in the wake of clashes in the northeastern border town of Arsal. A few of them have since been released, four were executed, and the rest are still captives.

Qalamoun Battles: "Israeli" Arms with Terrorists---AL-BINAA

Al-Binaa newspaper quoted source on Tuesday that a number of al-Nusra front leaders were killed and injured in the Qalamoun battles, as the Syrian army and resistance targeted their posts Jabal al-Barouh clashes, among which were major leaders such as ‘Abu Musaab' and Abu Bakr Lobnani'

According to a military source, "the Qalamoun region witnesses preliminary operations to allow the Syrian army and the resistance from fighting the final battle later on," adding that the first stage of the battles has had major results, most importantly decreasing the zone of confrontation from 32 kilometers to only 8 kilometers, at the time the armed groups had consecutive defeats and retreats.

On a related note, the source said that as the terrorist groups retreated, they left behind weapons and arms including "Israeli"-made weapons, which, according to the source, is not something surprising.

Stances & Positions
Sheikh Qassem: Hizbullah Keen on National Unity ---Media Relations

Hizbullah Secretary General Deputy Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that Hizbullah is keen on preserving Lebanon's national unity and fighting takfirism.

"We assure the importance of national unity and the importance of confronting common threats including the takfiri threat in the Qalamoun region. We also assure the importance of carrying out duty entitled to preserving Lebanon's stability, including common living among the different sects in the country," Sheikh Qassem said in a meeting with two of the Catholic Bishops on Monday.

Source: al-Ahed News