DAILY SCOPE: Trash Protest Turns Violent in Beirut, What’s next?!

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

‘Riot Groups' Try to Assassinate Lebanese Dream of Change

Iran, Britain Re-open Embassies: Diplomatic Détente Does Not Eliminate Ghost of the Past

AN-NAHAR:

‘Rioters' Kidnap ‘You Stink' Protests, Salam with People against ‘Political Wastes'

AL-AKHBAR:

Security Viciousness Against Protesters, State Says Rioters Behind chaos

AL-BINAA:

Hammond and Zarif: Historic Moment between The Two Countries

AL-LIWAA:

Political Disturbance Turns Street Anger to Riots!

AD-DIYAR:

Security Forces Resort to Severe Violence against Protesters, Major Protest Today at 6

Lebanese newspapers on Monday tackled the different topics, whether domestic, regional or international. The dailies focused on the protests that took place in Beirut Down Town, with two consecutive days of security forces violence against protesters.

Berri: People Have Right to Yell, No Alternative for Cabinet --- AS-SAFIR

Speaker Nabih Berri said that "when the parliament is absent and can't play its role and hold [anyone] accountable, then it's only natural for the people" to act this way.

According to As-Safir daily published on Monday, Berri told his visitors "It is the right of the people to yell. What's happening is a legitimate act but at the same time there is no alternative for the cabinet, particularly amid the presidential vacuum."

On the same note, the said that Berri contacted Prime Minister Tammam Salam ahead of the press conference he held on Sunday to suggest the announcement of tenders for waste management in Beirut and Mount Lebanon to be moved up to Sunday from Tuesday.

Berri also proposed to hold the cabinet session earlier than Thursday, said the newspaper.

Moreover, Berri added that ‘one single crisis of the accumulating crises of which the Lebanese people suffer is more than enough to start a revolution.'

Riot police fought demonstrators in the streets of downtown Beirut for a second night Sunday after the protesters rallied over government corruption and the ongoing Waste crisis that erupted following the closure of the Naameh landfill. The police used gas canisters, rubber bullets, and water hose to separate the demonstrators.

The violence came hours after Salam hinted he might step down following violent protests Saturday.

Top Diplomats Urge Salam Not To Resign over Crisis --- AN-NAHAR:

Top diplomats have contacted Prime Minister Tammam Salam urging him not to announce his resignation over the country's waste management crisis, which soared over the weekend.

According to An-Nahar daily published Monday, ministerial sources said that Salam has received phone calls from the ambassadors of major powers, Arab countries and the European Union in an attempt to convince him not to resign.

The diplomats urged the premier to remain steadfast and confront the latest developments over fears that Lebanon would fall in total chaos, said the sources.

Salam, during a press conference through which he addressed the Lebanese people, particularly the protesters, hinted on Sunday he might step down following violent protests over the weekend against government corruption and the ongoing trash crisis.

He said in the conference that if this Thursday's cabinet session is not productive, "then there is no need for the council of ministers."

According to An-Nahar, US officials have also contacted Iran to preserve stability in Lebanon.

Since May 2014, Political disputes have kept the country without a president. The parliament has extended its own term and has not convened since November because lawmakers differ on whether they can continue working before voting for a president.

Saudi Army Bases Seized by Yemen of Major Importance --- AL-AKHBAR

Military sources assured to al-Akhbar newspaper that the Yemeni army, backed by popular committees, has taken control of three Saudi army bases [in the border province of Jizan] as Riyadh continues its military aggression against the impoverished Arab nation.

According to the source, the operation is worth what they gained in 3 months of the battles inside Yemen, noting to the importance of the military posts.

Local media reports said on Sunday that the Yemeni forces also seized three Saudi tanks and destroyed several other armored vehicles in retaliatory attacks in the same troubled region. One Saudi tank was also reportedly destroyed in the offensive.

Yemeni security sources say Saudi Arabia has deployed a second convoy of armored vehicles and military hardware along the Wadiah border crossing in the central province of Ma'rib in a bid to open a new front against the Yemeni forces.

Saudi Arabia launched its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 - without a UN mandate - in a bid to undermine Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement and restore power to Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team