DAILY SCOPE: Terrorist Groups in Arsal Infighting Iran Reiterates Lebanese Presidency is a Domestic Affair

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Hariri Engages in Municipal Elections from Beirut

AL-AKHBAR:

Tehran to Paris: [Lebanese] Presidency is a Christian Matter

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Benzene Sets Street and Cabinet on Fire, Different Ministerial Opinions on Price Increases

AL-BINAA:

Yemen Exposes Saudi Lies on Advances in Sanaa...Washington Recommends Settlement

AD-DIYAR:

Lebanon's Presidential Elections after US Presidential Elections

Lebanese newspapers on Tuesday shed light on the different domestic files including the ongoing presidential void, as the 35th session ended with no quorum and the plan to impose a new tax on gasoline which seems to likely fail as it faces many objections.

The newspapers also discussed several regional matters, reporting on the latest developments in Yemen and Syria, and highlighting the stances of different regional and international players on the two files.

AS-SAFIR-Municipal Elections to Take Place on Time

Lebanese security sources told As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday that "Nothing can prevent the municipal elections from taking place, unless a major security occurrence comes up and prevents the elections from happening."

The newspaper quoted the sources as saying that "All the reports filed by military and security officials to Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq indicate that the current security conditions will allow the elections to take place on time."

On another note, security sources told As-Safir that the siege imposed on the terrorist groups in Arsal outskirts is starting to have effect, pointing out that the clearest evidence to its impact is the infighting between al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra front and the "ISIS" terrorist group over gasoline, drinking water and aliments.

Sources reported that clashes between the two terrorist groups started three weeks ago after the al-Nusra Front militants launched a surprise attack against the "ISIS" extremist group along the Lebanese-Syrian border in Qalamoun mountains, as a result of the siege laid by the Lebanese army and Hizbullah on the terrorist groups in the region. Sources reported the extremists were trying to take over bases from their rivals to improve their battle positions after the siege that left them disabled in the harsh winter cold.

Also, Russian diplomatic sources told As-Safir newspaper that the terrorist threat in Syria has directly affected Lebanon, where the two terrorist groups consider the Lebanese borders and its surrounding areas as a major part of the battles taking place in Syria.

The sources saw that the Russian battle against terrorist groups in Syria has a positive impact on Lebanon, as it prevents al-Nusra and "ISIS" from infiltrating into Lebanon.

On a related note, the sources told the newspaper that Russia will declare a clear stance on the Saudi and Emirati intention of militarily intervening in the war in Syria, assuring that if such intervention does not happen upon an official Syrian demand then it would be considered as illegal.

Saudi Arabia had declared its intention to put boots on the ground in Syria, claiming it would be part of an anti-"ISIS" campaign.

AN-NAHAR-Cabinet Likely to Reject Imposing Taxes on Gasoline

Ministerial sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday that the cabinet will most probably reject the imposing of taxes on gasoline in Wednesday or Thursday's session, which implies that having taxes added to meet popular needs every time is rejected in first place.

As a result of a global slide in oil prices, twenty liters of gasoline is selling at about LL 20,000 in Lebanon. Instantly, some officials started mulling to put a tax of around LL 5,000 as additional resources to help Lebanon's treasury.

The daily quoted ministerial sources as saying that "the majority of cabinet ministers will reject adding the tax on gasoline prices." The sources noted that "a $20 million needed to make the Civil Defense volunteers full-timers does not require a tax increase, especially that other projects that are worth millions of dollars have been previously approved without adding taxes."

The cabinet failed last week to pass a decree to make Civil Defense volunteers full-time employees, claiming there is lack of financial resources. The Civil Defense Volunteers declared a nationwide strike last Tuesday over the government's repeated failure to pass a decree to make them full-time employees with benefits and increased pay.

AL-JOMHOURIA- Two Major Speeches to Draw Picture of Coming Phase amid Presidential Void

Al-Jomhouria newspaper said that as the presidential void continues due to lack of quorum in the cabinet, and as the session to elect a president has been delayed until the 2nd of March; Lebanon expects two events to have major impact on the Lebanese arena [particularly the presidential file].

According to the newspaper, the first event is the speech to be delivered by MP Saad Hariri on February 14, during the annual commemoration of assassinating his father Rafiq Hariri.

The second event, according to the paper is the speech of Hizbullah secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who will speak on the 16th of February during the annual anniversary of the martyrdom of Hizbullah leaders; Sheikh Ragheb Hareb, [former Hibullah Secretary General] Sayyed Abbas Moussawi and commander Haj Imad Moghnieh.

According to the paper, the two events will draw the clear picture to the coming phase especially in terms of the presidential impasse.

AL-AKHBAR-Iran Assures Presidential Elections Christian, Lebanese Matter

Iran's embassy in Beirut assured that Iran does not and will not interfere in the Lebanese presidential elections, since it remains to be a domestic issue that should be resolved by the Lebanese people.

Diplomatic sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday that during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's tour in Europe last month, the French Embassy in Lebanon contacted its Iranian counterpart sending a clear and straightforward message: "The French presidency will tackle the Lebanese presidential file with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani; we want a solution to this problem."

According to the sources, the Iranian answer was also clear and straightforward. "Do whatever suits you, we do not act likewise, the presidency file is an internal matter and we do not interfere in [such a file]. If we were asked for help and saw that we were capable of providing it then we would have done so, but do not expect us to interfere and work for the sake of this or that candidate..." replied the Iranian embassy.

Moreover, the sources added "When the French President received his Iranian counterpart in the Elysée, he underscored the importance of enhancing the bilateral relationships between the two counties, before moving on to assure the importance of resolving regional conflicts and crises."

The sources went on to say "It was remarkable that the first issue Hollande put on the table was Lebanon and the presidential elections in the country," adding that Iranian FM Mohammad Jawad Zarif who was present at the meeting openly answered "It should be clear to all sides that we do not want to interfere in this matter, because it is a Lebanese issue; it is a Christian matter in first place."

"The Christians in the country usually agree among themselves on nominating a candidate for presidency, then the MPs head to the parliament where the election takes place. This time, there is no consensus among the Christians, on the contrary, there is clear disagreement [on the matter]...therefore on what basis and why should we interfere?" Zarif elaborated.

Source: al-Ahed News