DAILY SCOPE: Lebanon Trash Crisis Unresolved Yet, AKP Monopolizes Turkey
Local Editor
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AS-SAFIR:
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AN-NAHAR:
Signs of War Escalation in Syria Before Returning to Vienna
AL-AKHBAR:
Erdogan Monopolizes Turkey
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AL-BINAA:
Vienna Deal Requires Erdogan's ‘Elections Retirement' to Close Borders
AL-LIWAA:
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Lebanese newspapers on Monday the 2nd of November 2015 focused on the Justice and Development Party in Turkey regaining majority in the parliamentary elections, while touching on the different Lebanese files including the waste crisis which has been hampering many other files in the cabinet.
AL-AKHBAR: Waste Landfill Still Undetermined, New Initiative Not Welcomed
Following up on the waste management crisis that has been in deadlock since July, al-Akhbar newspaper said that polarization continues among the officials who have not come to common terms on the landfills suggested to resolve the garbage crisis in Lebanon.
According to the paper, amid civil and political opposition to the locations of waste landfills, the cabinet is still unable to make a decision and end the crisis. MP Talal Arslan had over the weekend expressed his rejection to the establishment of a landfill in Khaldeh which was lately suggested to solve the issue, saying that it is unacceptable to have a landfill at the Southern entrance of the capital Beirut.
Sources also said that among the reasons for objection is that the landfill would be located near the airport, posing a risk to aviation because the garbage would attract birds and that is a threat to planes.
The waste crisis had 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 wastes in makeshift sites and along riverbanks. Heavy rain last week brought with it flooded streets coupled with waste, as experts warned of the health and environmental impact of the crisis.
AS-SAFIR: Turkish AKP Terrorizes People, Monopolizes Turkey
Editor in Chief of Rotahaber, the Turkish news website who is well-informed on the Turkish political scene told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that "Terrorism was awakened following the 7 June elections, as if the red button of explosion was pressed. The message was clear, it was a choice between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) or chaos. In the South Eastern Turkey, voters received the message clearly, if they do not back up and change their calculations then stability is in jeopardy. Erdogan and his party were able to ‘discipline' the people.
According to the paper, five months ago and after the painful defeat in elections, the AKP's weapon of terrorizing surfaced through different forms; which included accusing Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) of links to ‘Kurdish terrorism' and declaring war against the party. Also, back then the government declared war on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and froze the peace process with the Kurds and chasing them in Syria and Iraq. Hence, it was normal that the AKP win the elections.
According to sources, there are fears that the political polarization stoked by President Erdogan could deepen and a clampdown on free speech could worsen as the AK Party feels emboldened.
AS-SAFIR: Deadline for Government Not Accepted, Russia Protecting Its Interests
A high-ranking diplomatic source told As-Safir newspaper on the sidelines of the Vienna meeting that "Damascus rivals suggested that Syria be given a 6-month period to put the constitution and a chance of a year and a half to carry out the elections," noting that Damascus allies said determining a ‘certain period of time' to the government is not accepted.
Another Russian source at the talks told the paper these were Washington's ideas which are not acceptable, reiterating that the Syrian people should determine their own fate.
Back to the diplomatic source, it commented on the issue saying "Just like the case is in any game, each player wants to demonstrate that his cards are still valid and strong. The Russian intervention comes in this context, to strengthen al-Assad's cards."
It noted that "Russia has three aims behind its role; to prove it is a great power that has the right to sit on dialogue tables and make decisions, to preserve its strategic interests in Syria and protect its influence and military presence there, and third to fight terrorist so-called Jihadis who can pose a threat on Russia."
On September 30, Russia launched its airstrikes against Takfiri terrorists in Syria upon a request by Damascus.
The international meeting on the Syrian crisis kicked off in the Austrian capital on Friday. Representatives from Iran, the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Russia, Jordan, Britain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon, China and Oman attended the talks.
In a joint statement at the end of the Vienna talks on October 30, the participants said "substantial differences remain" but it was "imperative to accelerate all diplomatic efforts to end the war."
Source: Al-Ahed news
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