DAILY SCOPE: Western Support for Lebanon Stems from Looming Danger against Europe

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Does Cell Phone Tender Open Communications Sector for ‘Israel'?

AL-AKHBAR:

Aoun: No Settlement...No Government

AN-NAHAR:

950 Thousand Lebanese, Refugees Need Help

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Lebanon Heavily Waits for International Scene, Meeting Soon Between Berri, Salam

AL-BINAA:

Russian Raids on ‘al-Nusra' Exposed Relation of West, Saudi Arabia with ‘al-Qaeda'

Lebanese newspapers on Friday shed light on different domestic topics. While As-Safir newspaper underscored the "phone tender" and questioned whether cooperating with certain companies would expose Lebanon before "Israel", An-Nahar newspaper tackled the "Crisis of the Syrian refugees".

Other domestic and regional topics were also discussed in the papers.

Western Support for Lebanon Stems from Looming Danger against Europe --- AN-NAHAR

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas stressed the importance of a functioning cabinet that would be able to tackle the international aid presented to Lebanon in its efforts to support Syrian refugees.

He told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday: "The international backing that Lebanon received from the International Support Group in New York should be translated into tangible aid," adding "The support for Lebanon does not stem from the West's sympathy for the country, but the looming danger against Europe."

"Lebanon therefore has to present tangible proposals and be ready to accept aid," the minister underscored.
"This obligates the cabinet to be in a constant state of readiness and holding sessions, not obstruction, which would cost us aid opportunities," Derbas said.

The International Support Group for Lebanon convened in New York on Wednesday, acknowledging "the extraordinary effort Lebanon continues to undertake in hosting 1.1 million registered refugees from Syria."

The Group stressed, however, that "if strong international support is to contribute effectively to sustained stability, it must be paralleled by determined action by Lebanon's leaders to resolve the political stalemate."

Russian Aerial Raids Hit Terrorist Targets --- AS-SAFIR

A Syrian security source told As-Safir newspaper that Russian raids targeted posts of the "al-Fateh army" led by al-Nusra Front in Jisr al-Shoughour and other areas in the Idlib outskirts. The source also reported that the aerial raids also hit different targets belonging to the terrorist armed groups including weapon depots.

The source further explained that the "'Black Sea fleet' forces will lead the forces taking part in the operations in Syria."

"Russia's Marines will be the first to deploy in Syria, including the Navy logistics center in Tartus and the temporary Russian air base in Latakia. The Marines will also be supported by groups of special forces on board Russia's Mediterranean Sea naval task force landing ships."

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported hitting 12 targets belonging to the "ISIL" takfiri group since starting military action in Syria. The effort is designed to provide air support to the Syrian army, which is struggling to contain the spread of takfiri militants in the war-torn country.

The Syrian military provides intelligence on prospective targets for Russian forces in Syria. The info is then double-checked before clearance is given to deliver a strike, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Efforts to Resolve Waste Disposal Crisis Continue --- AL-JOMHOURIA

Al-Jomhouria Lebanese daily reported on Friday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam held talks upon his return to Lebanon from the United States on Thursday with Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb on the latest efforts to resolve the waste disposal crisis.

An extended meeting between the two officials has been scheduled for Friday afternoon to discuss upcoming measures that will be taken to tackle the pending crisis. These steps include the adoption of cabinet decisions linked to the garbage crisis.

Shehayeb had held discussions earlier this week with numerous officials to explain to them his proposal on ending the trash crisis that has plunged Lebanon in waste since July.

The minister's proposal calls for the reopening of the Naameh landfill whose closure on July 17 sparked the country's garbage crisis.

The waste crisis erupted in July when Lebanon's largest landfill in Naameh was closed.

Trash began piling up on the streets of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, forcing the dumping of waste in makeshift sites and along riverbanks.

Source: al-Ahed News, Edited by website team