DAILY SCOPE: Crises Pending, Country Still Without President

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Russians to Saudis: This is Our Priority in Syria

Iraq: Aerial Targeting of ‘ISIL' Leaders, Fate of Baghdadi Unclear

AL-AKHBAR:

Syrian Army in Idlib Southern Outskirts, at Door of Latakia

AN-NAHAR:

Saudi Arabia Reveals Concerns on Russian Airstrikes to Putin, Iraqi Raids Kill 8 ‘ISIL' Leaders

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Aoun: Tomorrow is not Like Today

AL-LIWAA:

Putin, Mohamad Bin Salman Discuss Syrian Crisis, Ways of Settlement

Lebanese newspapers on Monday focused on different domestic and regional issues, shedding light on the several crises pending in the Lebanese cabinet. Also, papers followed up on the Russian air raids targeting terrorist groups in Syria as well as the latest events in Iraq where sources said that ‘ISIL' leaders have been targeted, among them Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Salam: No Cabinet Session Anytime Soon ---AS-SAFIR

Prime Minister Tammam Salam told As-Safir newspaper published on Monday that he does not expect to call for a cabinet session anytime soon over the lack of consensus among the country's rival political leaders.

"We want the session to be productive and we want it to be a turning point in resolving the waste crisis," Salam told the paper, adding "But unfortunately the conditions are not ripe yet to hold such a session."

In his remarks, Salam lamented that the political division is reflecting negatively on the mechanism that should be adopted for the implementation of the waste plan. He added that the prickly point lies in finding a landfill in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Salam also said that the entire country is paying the price of the failure to reach a settlement on the controversial issue of military officers' promotions as well as the disturbing political conflict over the next president.

He assured that he backed the civil society activists when they first began holding protests against the waste crisis that erupted following the closure of the Naameh landfill south of Beirut mid-July but warned that he would not allow the protesters to "destroy the country."

Garbage Crisis Sees No Solution Yet ---AL-BINAA

According to al-Binaa newspaper, a cabinet session will be held next Thursday to follow up on the waste management crisis that has not seen any practical solution yet. Information Minister Ramzi Jreij told the newspaper that some issues are impeding the process, adding that today the cabinet will either confirm or reject the adoption of a new landfill in the Bekaa area.

Shehayeb's waste crisis plan had received momentum from the parties at the national dialogue meeting earlier.

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.

If Political Disputes Continue, Lebanon Shall be in Danger ---AL-JOMHOURIA

Sources quoted Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam as saying that "if political disputes continue to take place then Lebanon will be in danger."

Al-Jomhouria newspaper quoted sources as saying that Salam had told his visitors that "If this approach continues, the issues and affairs of the country and people will remain unresolved, not to mention that politicians will still be unable to elect a president for the country."

He also criticized the international community, noting that its support for Lebanon is no more than soothing words that are not interpreted into action.

"If there are no sessions, I will be more aware that it would be useless for the government to convene. This is what I informed the conferees during the last round of dialogue," he said.

On a related note, House Speaker Nabih Berri has told the Special Envoy for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 Terje Roed-Larsen that the national dialogue brings about stability in Lebanon despite being "slow."

"The dialogue is a factor of stability and shows progress," Berri told him in a phone conversation, according to the paper.

Their conversation took place on Sunday when Roed-Larsen telephoned him to inquire about the path that the dialogue is taking.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May 2014. The Baabda Palace vacuum has caused the parliament's paralysis and huge differences among cabinet members.

Chess Mindset to Understand Putin's Moves ---AL-LIWAA

A former Russian Diplomat said that when Vladimir Putin decides to wear his military suit and engage in action and put the king in check, all the regional and international players should follow his lead and have a "chess" mindset to understand his moves and initiatives, reported al-Liwaa newspaper.

The source, according to the paper, urges looking at the new Russian positioning in terms of the war on terror in Syria, and to what extent this step has about changes so far.

The source also urged comparing and interpreting two scenarios, where there is a shift from Saudi threats to Russia, demanding it to halt its raids immediately, US threats that Russia will pay a high price for its actions and the threats of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir that Russia will suffer major repercussions, to a sudden desire of coming to common understanding, reaching a mutual understanding and preserving common interests with Russia.

Moscow launched its military operation against "ISIL" terrorists at the request of the Syrian government on September 30. Since the start of the operation, the Russian military has destroyed at least 112 takfiri targets.

Source: al-Ahed News