Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Aoun Opens Doors, Franjieh Ongoing in Candidacy Unless...

Kerry and Lavrov: Rescue Operation to "Syrian Geneva"

AL-AKHBAR:

Washington to its "Armed Groups": Fight al-Nusra

AN-NAHAR:

Rouhani to Sharif: We Do Not Want Tensions in the Muslim World

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Post "Electing Aoun" Scenario!

Lebanese dailies on Wednesday focused on the Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea's endorsement of Head of the Free Patriotic movement Michel Aoun for presidency, touching on the different reactions of political parties and figures in the country.

Yet, quoting several sources, papers said there are doubts on the effectiveness of the initiative in ending the stalemate, since head of the Marada party Suleiman Franjieh and MP Henri Helou are still running for presidency. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nabih Berri told several dailies he will not declare his position until things are clear.

Also, papers touched on the latest developments in the region.

AL-JOMHOURIA-Bkirki Blesses Geagea's Initiative; Safeguarding Lebanon Important

The meeting between Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai and head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea was a positive one, reported al-Jomhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

The Patriarch blessed Geagea's move [nomination of Aoun] saying that "such brave steps are required during this sensitive phase to salvage the Christian and Lebanese status-quo and to have presidential elections take place as soon as possible."

Al-Rai also assured to Geagea that "he will put his utmost efforts to make the initiative successful in order to protect Christian unity; especially that Bkirki had repeatedly asked the officials to start presidential initiatives to end the stalemate in Lebanon."

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea announced on Monday his decision to nominate Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun for the presidential election that has been delayed for around 20 months due to the lack of the political consensus among the various factions.

In a joint press conference, Geagea said that after mulling the political complications which caused the presidential vacancy, the Lebanese Forces decided to support General Aoun's candidacy. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

AN-NAHAR - Berri Will Announce His Stance when Picture Becomes Clear

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri told his visitors that before the picture becomes clear on Lebanese Forces Head Samir Geagea's endorsement of Change and Reform Bloc leader Michel Aoun, he will not announce his stance from the matter.

"As the head of the Amal movement, I will bring together the leadership council and the politburo of the movement and when all the given on the matter is clear, I will take a final stance from the presidency file," Berri told his visitors.

Asked about the rapprochement between the two sides, Berri stressed "What happened confirms my theory that there are no enmities among the Lebanese. They only have rivalries."

Yet, according to Berri, this step is not enough to resolve the presidential impasse.

The next parliamentary session that will be held to elect a president is on February 8. Yet it is still not clear whether Lebanon will in fact have a president on that date as talks on postponing the session and opening more space for discussion is taking place.

AS-SAFIR-Helou Running for Presidency, Electing Aoun Not Definite

The nominee of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, MP Henri Helou has said he would not withdraw his candidacy for the presidency even after the deal made between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.

Helou told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that he is still a presidential candidate, adding that he backs any rapprochement between different Lebanese parties. Helou added that the Democratic Gathering bloc will announce its stance on Thursday from LF chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of FPM founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency.

On a related note, Christian sources told As-Safir newspaper that the election of Head of the FPM MP Michel Aoun is not definite yet, especially since Speaker Nabih Berri, MPs Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblat back Head of the Marada party Suleiman Franjiieh.

Also, sources told the paper that Franjieh is willing to step down and support Aoun if he gets consensus from all political parties in the country.

 
AL-AKHBAR-Saudi Forces Inflicted with Major Losses, Strategic Hills in Hands of Yemeni Army

A military source told al-Akhbar newspaper that the Yemeni army and popular committees took control of eight new strategic points in Jeda'an area, after fierce battles with the coalition forces and armed mercenaries during which tens of terrorists were killed and injured.

Battles in Ma'areb province witnessed a major shift as the army and Committees managed to change the confrontation strategy from defense to attack.

According to the source, the new strategic points captured enabled the army and popular committees to cut supply lines that used to feed the Saudi-led forces and the mercenaries who had entered Ma'areb earlier.

Field sources assured that the advances made by the Yemeni forces and their allies have agitated the Saudi crisis, where it is further losing money and human resources. The sources also said that the national military managed to liberate a number of hills towards the al-Dimna military site east of Kovel camp.

Source: al-Ahed News