DAILY SCOPE: Lebanese Army Thwarts Terrorist Ops in Arsal, No Political Cover

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AN-NAHAR:

Army's Blow to "ISIS": "Emirate Not Allowed Here"

Lebanon Requests 11 Billion from London Conference Today

AS-SAFIR:

Here is How the Army Surprised "ISIS" in Arsal

AL-AKHBAR:

Berri Frustrates Seniora's Maneuver

Army's Initiative in Arsal: Thwarting "ISIS" Operation

AL-JOMHOURIA:

New Accomplishment by Army against Terrorist Groups

Wastes Scandal: 55 Thousand Tons of Wastes in Lebanon's Streets

Lebanese newspapers on Thursday focused on the latest events in Arsal town, where the Lebanese army and with no political umbrella carried out its operation and thwarted new terrorist attacks that were to target the Lebanese army posts, similar to what had happened back in 2014 that left scores of policemen and troops dead and injured.

The newspapers shed light on the pre-emptive operations the army launched in the Lebanese town that was officially declared as "occupied by terrorist groups".

The newspapers also discussed the latest developments in Syria and Yemen, as well as other domestic and regional issues including the Syria Donor Conference and its possible repercussions on the Syrian refugees issue.

AL-BINAA-Lebanese Army Carrying Duties, Political Decisions are Foreign Dictations

Military sources told al-Binaa newspaper that the Lebanese army is carrying out its duties in defending the country without taking the political decision into consideration.

"[This political decision] is clearly a dictation from foreign players who want to prevent the liberation of Arsal town and refuse to cleanse it from terrorism despite the fact that the Lebanese Interior minister frankly said the town has been occupied by terrorist groups," the sources said.

The sources also pointed out that "the Lebanese army will not halt its defense duty because of some political stances," adding that the army has carried out its duties in preventing terrorist groups from infiltrating into Lebanon.

On Wednesday, the army killed six militants and arrested 16 others in its biggest operation yet against the extremist group on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal. It is worth mentioning that a few days earlier, the area was a scene for clashes between the two terrorist groups, "ISIS" and al-Nusra front.

AL-JOMHOURIA-Lebanon Asks for 11 Billion Dollars from Donor Conference

Lebanese Minster of Education Elias Abu Saab told al-Jomhouria newspaper that "Lebanon will ask the international donors for eleven billion dollars over the five coming years, so that it would be able to deal with the constant "earthquake" resulting from the ongoing settlement of Syrian refugees in Lebanon."

Prime Minister Tammam Salam was invited Friday to the Syria Donor Conference. The conference will be held in London today, Feb. 4 and will be co-hosted by the United Kingdom. A delegation of hosting states presented the official letter of invitation to the prime minister.

The vast majority of Syrian refugees are sheltering in neighboring countries, including Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Lebanon alone hosts 1.2 million registered refugees. Their vast number has placed enormous strain on Lebanon's already struggling infrastructure, and exacerbated social tensions.

AN-NAHAR-Lebanon Alert on Donor Conference, Western Intentions Unclear

Touching on the same topic, sources told An-Nahar newspaper that the Lebanese delegation to the Syria Donor Conference has assured that "Lebanon is ready to take part in the conference, and the government has prepared drafts on the needs of Lebanon in terms of education, infrastructure, and supporting the budget."

The sources quoted some Lebanese delegation members as saying "The conferees know our intentions but we do not know theirs, yet we will try our best to benefit from the projects and loans to enhance Lebanon's position as a hosting country [for Syrian refugees]".

On a related note, ministerial sources expressed their worries on the "attitude of the international community from the refugees and displaced crisis, especially Western countries who want to resolve the crisis in Europe through presenting money to Lebanon so that the refugees would stay there."

AS-SAFIR-Terrorists Trying to Change Balance of Powers, Lebanese Army Thwarts Attempts

A prominent security source told As-Safir newspaper "there are serious attempts by the terrorist groups to change the balance of powers in Arsal and the areas at the Lebanese-Syrian borders, by that imposing a new reality."

According to the source, "ISIS" terrorist groups who were defeated by the Lebanese army were preparing for major operations only a few days after they had attacked posts for al-Nusra front and occupied significant areas in Wadi al-Khayl.

These attacks, according to the source, come as an attempt to connect Arsal to the outskirts that reach directly to Syria.

Owing to the operations that were carried out by the Lebanese army, several "ISIS" masterminds and military leaders were arrested and are currently under investigation, said the newspaper.

The source further pointed out that the Lebanese army's pre-emptive operation was successful due to several important factors including: the precise monitoring of the terrorist groups, the complete readiness of the Lebanese army for confrontation, the qualitative operations carried out by the Lebanese army despite its humble equipment, the high morale of the Lebanese army and its adherence to the duty of defending its homeland.

On Wednesday, the Lebanese army units killed two terrorist fugitives with ties to Syrian Takfiri groups and arrested 27 individuals in raids on Wadi al-Arnab and al-Joumrok neighborhoods in the northeastern town of Arsal. A statement by the Lebanese army said the terrorists arrested were plotting to attack army positions in the area and to kidnap citizens from Arsal town.

Source: al-Ahed News