DAILY SCOPE: Politicians Should Tackle Their Issues outside the Cabinet

Local Editor

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AS-SAFIR:

Airport Security Does Not Meet Required Standards!

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AL-AKHBAR:

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AN-NAHAR:

Agreement on Security Appointments Close, Waste Crisis Ongoing

AL-JOMHOURIA:

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Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday tackled the different domestic files, including the waste management crisis and the cabinet session. A new file seems to have emerged as an additional case in the cabinet's basket of issues to manage, as reports say Lebanon's airport does not meet international standards of security. Lebanese papers also touched on several regional issues.

AN-NAHAR-Politicians Should Solve Their Problems Outside Cabinet

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam addressed the politicians who have been arguing and bickering over different files, telling them they should resolve their issues outside the cabinet.

An-Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that Salam does not reject the Free Patriotic Movement's demands on the appointments of top security and military officials, but he stressed that the ministers should resolve their political and sectarian problems outside the council of ministers and after that come to attend the session.

"The government belongs to the state and the people, and not to parties, sects and political powers," An-Nahar quoted Salam as saying.

On a different note, the newspaper said that the waste management crisis has not seen a final solution yet, especially that the British company to export the wastes is still studying if it is possible to carry out the process without a partner.

Philip Larizzini, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon told An-Nahar newspaper that "it is difficult to follow up on what is happening, especially since a deal was made for two companies [a British and Polish] to carry out the process, yet the whereabouts of the deal remain unclear."

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.

AS-SAFIR-Beirut Airport Lacks International Standards, London and Paris Threaten to Stop Aviation Activity

Lebanese Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the Beirut International Airport suffers tremendous problems that should be resolved, noting that such shortcomings are not acceptable.

"[Paris and London] have seriously threatened to stop their aviation activity to and from Lebanon's international airport, but this decision is not final yet and they are waiting to see what can the Lebanese state do to enhance the security in this state's vital body."

According to the source, the Ambassadors of the two countries have expressed their concern because Lebanon's airport does not abide by international standards.

The airport suffers from major problems such as weak inspection of luggage and the lack of sufficient security cameras and lighting in the facility, said the report.

"This warning is serious but not final," al-Mashnouq said, adding that London and Paris are waiting for action from the Lebanese authorities to resolve the problems.

For his part, Public Works Minister Ghazi Zoaiter also told As-Safir that "the security of the airport and the safety of passengers are a red line," stressing that efforts are ongoing to meet the standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] and the European Union.

The minister stated he will send a request to the cabinet to approve the needed funding to tackle the flaws and fill the gaps in the facility, stressing that Lebanon should abide by international agreements and safety rules.

AL-AKHBAR- Foreign Mercenaries Flee Salma Town, Leave Equipment and Vehicles Behind

Salma, the strategic Syrian town and hub for mercenary forces of different nationalities located in the northern outskirts of Latakia is under the control of the Syrian army now, said al-Akhbar newspaper.

A military field source told al-Akhbar newspaper that the Syrian army forces and its supporting allies entered the city from the northern and eastern sides, after it had captured the two strategic hills of al-Haramiya and al-Khazan.

The advances came with the support of Russian aerial forces that targeted the terrorist groups in the area. Also, field sources told al-Akhbar that the major reason behind the quick fall of the town was because the Syrian army got full control over the hills surrounding it and exposed the city, which forced the armed terrorist groups to retreat and leave their equipment and vehicles behind.

The Syrian army announced it had controlled al-Haramiya hill after being engaged in fierce clashes with the militants. Both heavy and small arms were used in the clashes, the Syrian sources said.

Source: al-Ahed News