DAILY SCOPE: Franjieh’s Presidential Nomination on Top of Discussion... No Saudi Military Grant
Local Editor
Newspapers' Headlines:
An-Nahar:
Franjieh's Presidential Nomination Storm brought to a Standstill in Silent Rooms
As-Safir:
Qahwaji says Saudi Grant "Ink on Paper"
Al-Akhbar:
Franjieh's Nomination Awaits Hariri, Riyadh's Position
Al-Joumhouriya:
Movement in All Directions to Market Settlement
The talk about political settlement over the Presidential vacancy still dominates the Lebanese political arena, particularly after proposing the name of Zgharta MP, Suleiman Franjieh.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji revealed that the talk of Saudi military donation to Lebanon is "ink on papers".
As-Safir: Qahwaji Mourns KSA's Military Grant
Under the title: "France Acts as if the Saudi Grant for the Army Evaporated!", "as-Safir" newspaper wrote: "It coincided on one day that a French and a Lebanese acknowledgements intersected about the Saudi 3 million$ grant to arm the Lebanese army via France."
The newspaper added: "When Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji used to declare from Yarze his despair of this grant entering effect someday, some French official familiar with the issue was also expressing his despair for "as-Safir", as the deal went once again on the waiting list, yet still sticking to the little hope to be released from Riyadh under a Saudi royal order. He also said that Riyadh demanded again slowing the execution of the deal." In addition, the French President Francois Hollande didn't receive any answer from King Salman bin Abdul Aziz regarding the grant when he met him in Riyadh in late May."
"As-Safir" noted that "General Jean Qahwaji considers implementing the grant-deal as farfetched soon, saying "it is still ink written on paper." This, according to the newspaper, is the toughest description by a Lebanese official several months after negotiations and identifying the lists of weapons, priorities, and agreeing with the Saudis upon these points, as well as offering all the required guarantees not to fall in the hands of their political rivals in Lebanon."...
The newspaper cited General Qahwaji as saying: "We have been waiting the Saudi grant since a year and a half, we performed all the preparatory actions and meetings, we identified our needs, but everything is still stuck on papers till the moment, we received from the Saudi grant until now 47 French missiles only."
For his part, the French official said that what was received of "Milan" missiles isn't but two dozens of French anti-armor missiles, and not 47 missiles as some newspapers have been reporting since late April.
He presented data that urges most of the Lebanese officers to be pessimistic, far beyond what General Qahwaji said. This is because after the Saudi Ministry of Finance asked France in the beginning of the year to freeze all deals with the manufacturing or selling companies of the Lebanese-demanded weapons, it was expected that the Saudis enforce the agreement and launch negotiations with the French companies, and certify agreements with them, to start delivering or manufacturing the tools and weapons agreed upon before the end of the current year.
Politically, the "al-Akhbar" newspaper stopped at what is being circulated regarding the political settlement in Lebanon, noting that a prominent figure in March 8 Coalition called Head of "Future Movement" MP Saad Hariri to issue a public stance that officially declares nominating MP Suleiman Franjieh for presidency, and whether his stance represents the "Future Movement" in particular or the entire group of March 14. In addition, the reference asked Hariri to show a clear position from the same issue to Riyadh and Washington.
"Al-Akhbar": March 8 Asks Hariri a Public Stance on Nominating Franjieh for Presidency
The newspaper noted that "March 8 fears from a new Hariri-maneuver, as he did previously with General Michael Aoun, to crush his nomination, then retreat from supporting Franjieh under the pretext of the absence of Christian agreement, with respect to the communications taking place between the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, and the "Kataeb" Party as well as March 14 figures, to find a unified stance against the "Muslims attempt to impose a Christian President".
The newspaper also stated that some indicators being discussed show that the Saudi stance toward nominating Franjieh is "very positive", and this is what should have been presented in a public statement by Hariri [it was reported that he hesitated in the few last hours] to adopt nominating the Chief of "Marada". Also, it was reported yesterday that a date was set for a possible visit soon by Franjieh to Saudi Arabia, in which he would meet the crown prince Mohammad bin Salman.
"Al-Akhbar": Franjieh Clear with Hariri on Relations with Syria, Resistance
"Al-Akhbar" newspaper wrote that the Chief of Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh was clear with MP Saad Hariri in two issues, stressing that he will not change his stance on them no matter what are the conditions: his relations with Syria and the resistance.
However, it appeared that the former PM was much interested in the electoral law, as he clearly demanded keeping the "1960 electoral law". In response, Franjieh showed support, but he didn't guarantee that other blocs would agree on the decision.
According to some sources, this item is a basic issue for both Hariri and Jumblatt who strictly deny issuing a decision according to relativity, as the former considers it "dispersive for Sunnis", while the latter is "obsessed with returning the political Maronite relativity back to control Mount Lebanon."
An-Nahar: Slow Cook
For its part, "an-Nahar" newspaper cited sources familiar with the communications regarding nominating the Chief of "Marada" Movement for presidency saying the issue is being "cooked slowly" until other information appears far from mixing the papers in this issue, as a top official described it.
In the context, Jumblat delayed the Friday gathering of the "Democratic Meeting" Party that was called for until Saturday, after things become clearer.
The sources added that it is not true that Hariri will appear on media soon to tackle the presidential elections issue. Also familiar sources mentioned that: "nominating the Chief of Marada Movement for presidency is being "cooked slowly".
"An-Nahar" discussed the obstacles that took place after the visit made yesterday by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour delegated by Jumblat to hold talks with Kataeb Leader MP Sami Gemayel and learn the truth about the stance of Hizbullah from nominating Franjieh, considering the possible coverage by Kataeb for nominating him would ease the strong rejection from the other Christian sides.
However, with respect to the "an-Nahar" information, Gemayel's stance didn't seem suitable for nominating Franjieh. Although he asserted his party's positive relation with the Chief of "Marada", he stressed the necessity to receive guarantees and basic conditions related to Franjieh's stance from Lebanon's neutrality and applying self-distancing policy regarding the war in Syria, as well as the stance of Hizbullah's weapons and its military intervention in Syria.
Information also noted that Abou Faour reported the details of his meeting with Gemayel to Jumblat, who, in turn, decided to slow down in holding today's talks with his party.
As the same sources cited some March 8 sides saying that MP Franjieh's statements after the last dialogue session on Wednesday would have left a rushing effect on the efforts exerted to clarify the mainframe of the settlement, these sources stressed that, despite the silence agreed upon by main Christian forces, everybody now knows that General Aoun's stance is solid and strict as he rejects withdrawing his candidacy or even transferring his credit to someone else.
Al-Binaa: All What Franjieh Does Coordinated with Aoun
For its part, a leading source in the "Future Movement" stressed to "al-Binaa" newspaper that "Hariri's nominating Franjieh is serious, but he will not declare this officially until the comprehensive bundle is agreed upon," adding that "nominating Franjieh will not be isolated from Lebanon's neutrality, forming the government and the Parliamentary electoral law."
The source further said that "when the communications become fruitful, Hariri will announce this in a televised appearance or a press conference."
On the other hand, "Marada" Movement sources told "al-Binaa" that some undercover communications are taking place between Hariri and Franjieh to solve many issues on the level of Presidency. Without mentioning further details, the same sources considered that "until now no official stance has been made neither by Franjieh nor by the Future Movement."
Also refusing to comment on some "Future" MPs stances, the source recalled Franjieh saying that "he hasn't announce his candidacy until the moment, and that his nominee is General Michael Aoun," stressing that "all what Franjieh does is coordinated with General Aoun."
Sources familiar with the issue: The ball is now on Hariri's ground, would he nominate Franjieh officially?
Sources familiar with the subject confirmed to "al-Binaa" that "Franjieh is convinced with the seriousness of Hariri's stance, and that's why he made half of the required step a couple of days ago after the national dialogue session when he said that he is a serious candidate but not an official one."
The sources noted also that: "The ball is now on Hariri's ground, who will speak in a televised appearance or a press conference. He would also visit Beirut and officially announce nominating Franjieh in a meeting of his parliamentary bloc."
"Franjieh will not announce any new stances because he considers what is required from him, with respect to the Paris meeting, has been done," the same sources said, adding that "March 8 Coalition will keep silent, observing and following up the developments before declaring any stance until it is sure the proposal is serious."
Source: al-Ahed news
