DAILY SCOPE: Presidential Initiative Postponed, Syrian Army Capture Strategic Airport

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Franjieh ‘Very Comfortable' After Meeting al-Assad

Yemen Truce: Race between War and Negotiations

AN-NAHAR:

Obama Wants Quick Progress in Fighting "ISIS", Kerry Discusses al-Assad Future with Putin

KSA: Islamic Military Coalition of 34 Countries to Fight Terrorism

AL-AKHBAR:

‘Ansarullah': We have the Upper Hand

‘Black Saturday in Nigeria: No Limits for Killing

AL-BINAA:

Turkey Relocating in Iraq, Runs Away from Confrontation with Russia

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Fathali: Foreign Intervention does not Benefit Lebanon

AL-LIWAA:

Yemeni Peace Talks Start with Beginning of One Week Truce Today

Lebanese newspapers on Tuesday touched on the different domestic and regional matters, stressing that the presidential initiative seems to have gone in winter hibernation until further notice as the Lebanon approaches the Holidays. Newspapers followed up on the latest developments in Syria and Yemen as well as the Nigeria massacres in which limitless violence and killing was committed against civilians.

AL-JOMHOURIA -- Iranian Ambassador: Lebanon Should Resolve Presidential Impasse without Foreign Intervention

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali told al-Jomhouria newspaper on Tuesday that "the file of presidential election in Lebanon is a domestic matter that should be solved by Lebanese politicians and no one else."

In a statement to the newspaper, Fathali said "We think that any foreign intervention, whether positive or negative, will not be useful to Lebanon; the Lebanese people, its leaderships, parties, and sects can reach an agreement on their own on this important matter."

The ambassador further assured that Iran "does not and will not intervene in Lebanon's domestic affairs."

On a related note, sources told al-Jomhouria that a few ambassadors in Lebanon concerned of the situation in Lebanon will leave the country for the holidays, which, according to the source implies that the Hariri initiative will put aside for some time, with no information on what time of the new year will the matter be discussed again.

The sources also said that it seems that the initiative was incomplete since the beginning, and that the solution lies in either convincing the sides objecting Franjieh's candidacy of accepting him, or finding another candidate who might enjoy consensus from all sides in the country.

"During their recent talks with Lebanese officials, various diplomats expressed their belief that Hariri's proposal has somewhat failed, seeing as the majority of these ambassadors will return home for the holidays," noted the daily.

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

AL-BINAA -- Waste Management Requires Finalization of Technical, Financial and Legal Matters

Lebanese Information Minister Ramzi Jreij told al-Binaa newspaper that "the finalization of the waste management awaits some final answers on legal and financial issues as well as technical details;" noting that as soon as these details are determined, the Ministerial Council will convene in a session to have a final discussion on the matter by next week.

Ministerial sources told the newspaper on Tuesday that "3 out of 6 companies have provided deals on exporting wastes from the country that meet the required conditions."

It further pointed out that the "conditions of exporting garbage are complicated, and that the talks about a final solution reached are rumors."

The waste management crisis erupted on July 17 following the closure of the Naameh landfill south of Beirut, which had been receiving trash from the capital and Mount Lebanon since 1997. The landfill was meant to operate for only a few years until a comprehensive solution was devised. But the government has so far failed to resolve the issue.

Sukleen; the main company in charge of collecting trash in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, stopped its work last week after it was no longer able to store waste at its facilities. Piles of trash filled the sidewalks and streets across Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

AL-AKHBAR: Syrian Army Captures Strategic Military Airport in Ghouta

Simultaneously as the Syrian army made major advances in Syria's Ghouta, where they took control over the military airport of Marj al-Sultan, the armed groups were exchanging accusations on whose fault it was for the airport to fall from their hands.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper, the Syrian army has advanced noticeably on Marj al-Sultan -Harasta road, and on Qunaitra from the West and East, which is an important path that exposes Damascus's Ghouta.

According to field sources, "the army took full control over the military airport and the town of Ghouta in Damascus, which splits the area controlled by the armed groups into two and isolates the terrorist groups from each other."

Accordingly, and due to the big blow to the terrorist groups especially the loss of the military airport, sources expect harsh attacks in the coming two days on the Syrian capital, where the army should be at its utmost readiness to confront any attacks.

As for Aleppo and its outskirts, military sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that "the Syrian forces are trying to enhance its enforcements in the mountain chains of al-Hazm al-Awsat after its retreat from Maheen Mountain.

Source: al-Ahed News