DAILY SCOPE: Aoun-Franjieh Positive Meeting, Syrian-Yemeni Settlement Soon?

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Silence prevailed today over the presidential initiative on nominating Franjieh which was the talk of the town for the few past days. Newspapers on Thursday rather focused on the meeting that took place between the two major Christian figures in the country concerned of resolving the presidential deadlock, where Marada Movement head MP Suleiman Franjieh arrived in Rabieh on Wednesday to meet with Change and Reform bloc head MP Michel Aoun. Also, newspapers underscored the developments taking place in Syria and Yemen, with close follow-up to the Saudi conference that does not seem to be of consensus among the opposition.

AS-SAFIR: Aoun, Franjeh Reassure Keenness on Protecting Country

Free Patriotic Movement sources told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that Aoun and Franjieh assured their keenness on protecting their political relations and fixating what the country has achieved lately of more closeness. According to the source, two pivotal points were underscored: that the coming president will definitely be from among the ‘Aoun-March 8' coalition, and second is that he must have a major representation among the Christians.

Moreover, sources pointed out that the two sides considered that the presidential battle should be managed wisely through a complementary nomination of both Aoun and Franjieh rather than turning it into a hot battle, and keeping in mind that Aoun has priority as long as there is a chance for electing him. The source elaborated that in case Aoun's failure in the elections becomes final, then he and not Hariri should nominate head of the Marada party for presidency.

AN-NAHAR: Franjieh-Aoun Meeting Honest, Positive

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil hailed the meeting that joined Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh on Wednesday, saying that it was "honest."

According to An-Nahar Lebanese daily, he said that the latest developments in the presidential elections deadlock "are a victory for our camp." His comments came in light of a meeting between Aoun and Franjieh on Wednesday that tackled the efforts to nominate the latter as president.

Sources close to the Change and Reform bloc told An-Nahar that Wednesday's meeting was positive as Aoun and Franjieh highlighted their alliance, and Franjieh stressed that he will continue to back Aoun's candidacy as long as it still stands. The sources further pointed out that Aoun sought to strengthen his alliance with Franjieh to prevent any possible rift with him.

AL-JOMHOURIA: Country Needs President with Backing of Christian Parties

Church sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that "A session to elect a president will not be held in the absence of Christian lawmakers, because the country cannot tolerate the election of a head of state that does not enjoy the backing of the Christian parties."

‘The Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai is putting his utmost efforts and making contacts with the main Christian parties in an attempt to resolve the presidential crisis' said the sources. On a related note, Al-Jomhouria newspaper added that al-Rahi received on Wednesday a telephone call from French President Francois Hollande to discuss the latest efforts to resolve the presidential deadlock in the country.

According to the paper, the French president stressed to the patriarch the need to elect a president soon, meanwhile al-Rai stressed that there will be no support of a president "who does not enjoy the approval of the main Maronite factions."

AL-AKHBAR: Political Solution in Syria, Yemen?!

Sources close to the ‘Syrian Democratic Council' uncovered to al-Akhbar newspaper that the political committee of the council is trying to communicate with the countries concerned with the Syrian crisis, to prepare the grounds for a political settlement that should result from the Syrian-International meeting.

The source also said that "the most important factor now is fighting terrorism, and that there should be no military confrontation with the Syrian government," further stressing that "dialogue currently can be the most successful means to reaching a solution and is more productive than shedding blood."

Moreover, member of the Democratic Society Movement Aldar Khalil told al-Akhbar newspaper that the ‘Riyadh conference will not come out with important decisions especially as it is the most active on ground,' adding that the movement does not acknowledge the conference or its recommendations.

The so-called Syria opposition groups have begun talks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, claiming it comes in an effort to reach a common ground before potential negotiations with the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

On another note, Yemeni sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that a meeting took place between the Ansarullah and Saudi officials in Muscat lately under patronage of Germany and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Sheikh.

Also, informed sources told the paper that the UAE withdrew most of its forces from Yemen, leaving behind its military posts except for a few ones around Aden port.

Also, al-Akhbar newspaper came to know that Egypt, Sudan and Mauritania who are part of the so-called Saudi-led coalition informed Saudi Arabia its objection to the presence of foreign mercenaries in the war that was supposedly a war of "protecting Arab National Security."

According to media reports, a recent fatality has brought to 15 the number of foreign forces with the Blackwater killed in clashes in Yemen since Tuesday. Some Australian, British, and French advisors and commanders -- plus half a dozen Colombian soldiers -- were among the dead. The mercenaries are part of the UAE forces that help Saudi Arabia in its war against the impoverished country.

Source: al-Ahed News