DAILY SCOPE: Russian Role in Syria Changes European Stances

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Lebanese ‘Sukhoy': Readiness from Beirut... to Arsal Outskirts

Syria: Russians paving Way for field, Political Advances

AN-NAHAR:

Syrian Army Advances, American Weapons to Opposition

AL-AKHBAR:

"Israeli" Crimes on the Rise: Executions on Suspicion!

AL-BINAA:

De Mistura to Bring Iran, Saudi Arabia together in Syrian Committee, Palestinian Intifada Ongoing

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Berri: Government Burned Out, Garbage Crisis is A Waste

Lebanese newspapers on Tuesday shed light on the Lebanese Army's Aptness at the borders with Syria, where suspicious movements of the terrorist groups are apparently monitored. Also, the papers followed up on the cabinet issues, be it the waste management crisis, the presidential impasse or other files that need to be resolved.

The dailies also discussed the different regional and international topics, particularly highlighting the latest developments on the Syrian file as European countries express fear over their influence in the Middle East amid Russian attacks on terrorist groups' targets in Syria.

Dialogue Only Guarantee to Stability, Garbage Issue Became A Waste --- AL-AKHBAR

House Speaker Nabih Berri said that the government is not in the ‘most favorable situation right now', but simultaneously doubted that its Prime Minister would resign and assured that "what matters is the continuation of dialogue, which is the only hope that guarantees an atmosphere of stability in the country."

The cabinet has been unable to convene because of major differences between its members on the promotion of high-ranking military officers and the decision-making mechanism that it should adopt in light of the presidential impasse.

Asked about the ongoing waste management crisis before leaving to Bucharest, Berri told reporters "The garbage issue became a waste."

"If the situation remains the same, there would be burners in towns similar to generators spread across the neighborhoods," Berri said, noting that "then the trash crisis will be similar to the electricity crisis."

Berri arrived on Monday afternoon in Bucharest on a state visit to Romania, where he is scheduled to meet with Romanian senior officials to discuss bilateral relations and reinforce parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, as well as discuss the most recent developments in the Middle East. Berri hoped the two sides would sign an agreement of understanding to allow the two Parliaments to work together and coordinate on the different levels and in all fields.

LA Ups Readiness, Foils Terrorist Operations ---- AS-SAFIR

A security source told As-Safir newspaper that the latest developments in the Syrian war prompted the military institution and army in Lebanon to increase its readiness along the Lebanese-Syrian borders. The source pointed out that some suspicious movements of terrorist groups have been taking place in the area, alarming the army that it might execute terrorist operations concurrently with the Russian strikes on terrorist positions in Syria.

The source further explained that the terrorist groups have resumed attacking Lebanese army posts from a distance of four to five kilometers.

Also, a military source revealed that a few infiltration attempts of the terrorist groups were foiled by the Lebanese army, as they were trying to enter Syria from Lebanon's borders through Sheba'a. The source also reported the terrorist groups had received orders to head to Syria where they should fight the Russians.

As-Safir further quoted the source, which revealed that the Lebanese army succeeded in foiling the smuggling of explosive material into Lebanon through Arsal borders.

Bassil in Tehran Next Week --- AN-NAHAR

An-Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil will visit Tehan next week, in response to an official invitation to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region.
This invitation, according to the source, comes after his election as the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement. The paper said that Bassil's meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will take place before the latter's travel to Paris, where he would be meeting his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali, who had visited the Labor Minister Sajaan Qazzi on Monday had stated during the meeting that "Iran believes the Presidential impasse in Lebanon is an internal affair, and we have reiterated that we think Lebanon's elites can fulfill this need and elect a President."

Fathali's statement came in response to the repetitive claims that the Lebanese Presidential issue will not see real action unless after an Iranian-Saudi agreement.
He hoped that Lebanon would see a strong President soon.

Baabda Palace has been vacant since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May last year.

Russian Role in Syria Source of New European Stances --- AS-SAFIR

A Diplomatic source told the Lebanese daily As-Safir that the new European stances emerging on Syria are the result of the ‘Russian Intervention'.

The paper quoted the source as saying that the Europeans now "realize that [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad is essential in the transitory phase," adding "it is clear that Russia is achieving political gains, its air defense system is already in Syria and it is voiding the possibility of even setting up a no-fly zone."

The source noted that the Russians are directing the case into a two-choice battle, either al-Assad or terrorism.
Moreover, the diplomatic source highlighted that the Europeans, in their discussions, do not refer to the Russian role as sole intervention in Syria, but they consider it as well related to their influence and presence in the Middle East."

The Russian Air Force has carried out about 300 strikes against terrorist positions, killing 300 militants and destroying command centers, training camps and ammunition depots since the Russian campaign against terrorists in Syria started. Russian warships in the Caspian Sea have fired 26 cruise missiles on "ISIL" targets.

The UN peace envoy to Syria said Monday he was heading directly to Moscow in a bid to promote a political end to the conflict.

"I am on my way tonight to Moscow," Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva, acknowledging that the Russian air strikes against positions for Takfiri Group "ISIL" in Syria had "introduced new dynamics" to the brutal conflict.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team