DAILY SCOPE: Presidential Impasse Unresolved Yet, Medical Crisis in Syria

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Saudi Adventure in Yemen about to End

Ten Minutes between Hariri, Franjieh: Initiative Resists, but...

AL-AKHBAR:

Severe Lack in Medicine, Equipment: 17 Dead in Kafraya and Foua

Hariri ‘Steady', Franjieh to Damascus

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Candidacy Storm Retrieves, Aoun's Stance Consistent

AL-LIWAA:

Hariri to Franjieh: No Backing Up from Joint Initiative to Elect President

AD-DIYAR:

Aoun Declares Candidacy for Presidential Elections until the End

Lebanese newspapers on Monday followed up on the presidential initiative in Lebanon launched by Future Party Chief Saad Hariri and its latest developments. Newspapers in general anticipated that the Hariri initiative through which he nominated head of the Marada party Suleiman Franjieh for presidency is very weak and might not break the presidential impasse. Lebanese dailies also highlighted the different regional topics, with focus on the latest advancements the Syrian army has achieved through which it has blocked main supply lines to the terrorist groups, as well as the humanitarian situation in Syria in light of medical equipment and drug shortage, not to mention scarcity of food and water.

AS-SAFIR: Hariri's Initiative to Continue, Not Maneuvering

Well-informed sources told As-Safir newspaper that Head of the Future Party Saad Hariri assured "his initiative on the presidential nomination is ongoing; even if it became a bit slower in pace," adding that "he is not maneuvering in putting forth the initiative."

Sources also told the newspaper that the initiative is not ripe yet, and needs more time but it will continue especially as no other options are on the table. On a related note, As-Safir quoted sources as saying "there seems to be a Saudi-Iranian rapprochement sometime soon, which might actually break the ice and lead to a solution to the Lebanese stalemate."

News sources reported that Hariri had contacted Sunday MP Franjieh on Sunday, whereby both men "exchanged opinions over latest political developments and underway efforts regarding Hariri's presidential initiative," emphasizing that deliberation shall continue "along the joint path to elect a new President of the Republic."

AN-NAHAR: Political Parties Should Come to Consensus, Resolve Impasse

An-Nahar newspaper on Monday said that the silence of Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the presidential initiative put forward by Hariri does not mean his patience has not reached its edge. Yet, the paper pointed out that Salam is not hopeless, as he told the newspaper that electing a president requires consensus, and such an issue definitely requires time and effort from all the parties in the country to make it happen.

Asked on whether Marada party leader Suleiman Franjieh can be considered as a consensual president, Salam said that "when Saad Hariri who is a major figure in the March 14 camp approves of him as president then that is a sign to him being consensual."

Salam, on another note, stressed that the waste management crisis and the oil extraction files are very important and should be addressed as soon as possible, underscoring that the cabinet should come to an agreement shortly on the two matters.

The paper went on to say that Salam did not express pessimism on the current situation, but also highlighted that all forces in the country must not agree for things to continue in such a manner and that in case the situation remains the same problems will rapidly increase.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

AL-AKHBAR: Syrian Army in Control of Strategic Border Crossing, Severe Medical Shortage Kills 17

As the military operations continue in Syria, particularly in Northern Latakia and Southern Aleppo, the Syrian army and resistance forces make major advancements on both fronts with the support of Russian aerial force, said al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday.

The army succeeded in taking control over the mountain chains of al-Kouz in Latakia by that preserving the Latakia-Kassab highway, which according to a field source is considered a very important and strategic point in the area. The source told al-Akhbar that the army took control over the area along with Jabal Zahia and other areas in North eastern Latakia after fierce clashes with the armed forces, who had asked for enhancements and support from the Turkish borders.

The source also explained to al-Akhbar that the importance of this accomplishment lies in the fact that by retrieving and preserving the Latakia-Kassab main road and the Kassab crossing [after three years of being in hands of the terrorist groups], the army actually took control of the Kassab border crossing along with other illegal crossings that were being used as supply lines by the armed forces.

On the humanitarian level, a physician from the Fou'a field hospital told al-Akhbar newspaper that 17 civilians have died so far due to the lack of medicines and equipment needed, particularly those related to kidney dialysis, asthma and hemorrhage, as well as heart and cancer diseases.

The doctor further told the Lebanese daily that the situation is worsening in light of severe lack of medical equipment and drugs, as well as scarcity of food and water, threatening the lives of dozens of kidney patients alone.

Foua and Kefraya are two villages located on the outskirts of Idlib in North Syria and since March 2015 40,000 civilians have been under siege by Jabhat Al Nusra, Jaysh Al Fatah and other terrorist factions.

Isolated villagers have been bravely defending themselves, with little access to water, food, medicine and electricity. The Terrorists have carried out daily indiscriminate rocket attacks killing hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

Source: al-Ahed News