DAILY SCOPE: Lebanese Presidential Issue a Domestic Matter, Syria Retrieves Deir al-Zour after ’ISIS’ Massacre

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Iran and US: Nuclear Peace or New Form of Conflict?

Aoun-Geagea: It is Time to Make a Decision

AN-NAHAR:

Political, Economic Repercussions of N-Deal Implementation: Obama Hails Deal and Rouhani Calls it "Golden page"

"ISIS" Commits Massacre in Syria's Deir al-Zour, Abducts 400 Civilians

AL-AKHBAR:

Iran and the West: War with Gloves

Syria: 300 Martyrs in "ISIS" Massacre

AL-BINAA:

Iran Reaps Victory, Money, International Recognition, and Sanctions Annulment

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Decisive Day for Geagea

AL-LIWAA:

Lebanese Central Bank Delegation to Washington on Wednesday, Confronting Financial Pressures on Lebanon

AD-DIYAR:

France Tells Hariri: Rouhani Will Not Interfere in Presidential Elections

Lebanese newspapers on Monday focused on the implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and the West, as sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program were lifted following confirmation of Tehran's commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The papers tried to anticipate what repercussions will come along and whether this is a new page in relations between Iran and the US or a new conflict in another form.

Newspapers also touched on domestic and regional matters, including the presidential impasse that has not seen a solution yet and the massacre committed by "ISIS" in Syria killing at least 300 civilians.

AS-SAFIR-Military Council Appointments Almost Resolved

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri said on Monday that he has received two names of the three candidates for the military council, a Catholic and another Orthodox.

According to As-Safir newspaper, Berri told his visitors that he will discuss the issue of the military appointments with defense Minister Samir Moqbel, who is supposed to propose a bill to the cabinet on the matter. The House Speaker said that he has inquired about the identities of the names suggested and that he received a positive and encouraging feedback."

He also informed head of the Change and Reform Bloc MP Michel Aoun that he can chose the Shiite candidate himself.

On a related note, Berri told the newspaper that the discussion on a new electoral law is still ongoing, pointing out that all sides should come together and tackle the issue from a "national interest" viewpoint.

On another level, As-Safir newspaper said that the Saudi grant to Lebanon seems to be frozen as Riyadh has halted the transfer of funds. Sources confirmed that the grant has not been implemented for reasons on why remain unknown for the Lebanese side. The paper underlined that such a step would in fact impede many plans and contracts that had been planned by the Lebanese Interior Ministry and the military institutions of the country.

Discussions have been ongoing among high-ranking officials on the controversial issue of appointments in the military council to meet the demands of the Free Patriotic Movement. The cabinet has failed to hold regular sessions since September because of the dispute on the decision-making mechanism and the dispute on the appointment of high-ranking military and security officials in absence of a president.

AL-JOMHOURIA-Lifting Sanctions Door to Resolve Regional Matters, Presidential Void Domestic Affair

Lebanese political and official sources were optimistic about the lifting of US sanctions on Iran, expecting a positive impact on Lebanon's internal arena especially in terms of electing a president.

Al-Jomhouria newspaper said that the decision to lift sanctions can open the way for Iran and the West to discuss pending regional conflicts that need to be resolved.

Yet, French sources informed head of the Future Party Saad Hariri that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has informed his French counterpart Francois Hollande that Iran will not interfere in resolving the presidential crisis in Lebanon because it is a Lebanese domestic matter.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali reiterated a few times that the Islamic Republic will not interfere in Lebanon's domestic affairs, namely the presidential elections.

Earlier in August 2015, Fathali told al-Akhbar newspaper that "there are no communications or discussions taking place between Tehran and Beirut on electing a president in Lebanon, he stressed that "such is an internal Lebanese issue, and all parties in Lebanon should be concerned about this matter because it directly affects the interests of the people, and they should reach consensus on this matter."

AL-AKHBAR-Syrian Army Retrieves Deir al-Zour after "ISIS" Massacre

Syrian field sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that the Syrian army was able to quickly take back the city of Deir al-Zour, after fierce attacks conducted by the extremist groups in which more than 300 civilians were killed.

Sources noted that "the last advances made by the terrorist groups in Syria took place due to the mass suicide attacks they conducted, where more than 40 extremists at least blew themselves up in addition to several car-bombs that caused massive explosions."

Despite the vicious attacks, military sources told the newspaper that the morale of the Syrian army is high, and that they have been engaging in fierce battles to repel the terrorist attacks.

"At least 30 "ISIS" suicide bombers blew themselves up in al-Baghaliyeh area in Deir al-Zour, paving the way for other terrorists to get into the village and kill at least 300 civilians," sources said on Sunday night, adding that "After their attack "ISIS" abducted at least 400 civilians from the residents of the al-Baghaliyeh suburb it captured and adjacent areas in the northwest of the city."

Source: al-Ahed News