DAILY SCOPE: Salam Says Naturalization Out of Question, Internet Scandal Rolling

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

This is the "Internet Grotto" in Lebanon!

Rare Meeting between Mogherini, Jaafari

AN-NAHAR:

Salam to An-Nahar: Naturalization of Refugees Rejected!

AL-AKHBAR:

"Israel" Replies: Nasrallah is Our Target

Beirut Airport Similar to Sharm al-Sheikh Airport before Russian Plane Bombing

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Long UN Day in Beirut

West between Assad and Daesh

AL-LIWAA:

Exceptional European Meeting Today, Moscow Calls on Coalition to Stop "Geopolitical Games"

AD-DIYAR:

Europe Pays Price for Sending Takfiris to Syria and Iraq, Solution Difficult

Lebanese newspapers on Thursday the 24th of March 2016 cast light on different events in Beirut, topped by the illegal internet network scandal. Meanwhile, Lebanese dailies followed up on the Brussels attacks and the repercussions that followed as Europe remains in shock. Europe has called for exceptional meetings to confront the problem it created in first place when it contributed in sending terrorist groups to Syria and Iraq, and now a solution to the problem seems far from reach.

AS-SAFIR: "Internet Grotto" Includes Huge Number of Companies

The illegal internet network uncovered in Lebanon seems to be more complicated than everyone thought.

Sources told As-Safir newspaper that the "internet grotto" includes a huge number of minor and major companies that have overpassed laws and regulations and justified taking internet provided by Cyprus and Turkey, saying that the demand for internet services has been increasing in light of scarcity of state services.

As-Safir criticized the state, saying that despite the fact that a "Fiber-optic" project was fulfilled and had cost tremendous amounts of money, yet it has not been put to service yet for one reason; political quarreling among the high-profile figures in the country.

On the same note, Head of the Parliament's Media and Telecommunications Committee MP Hasan Fadlallah told As-Safir that more information is unraveling on the internet scandal, including the huge spending and high chances of security breach.

For his part, House Speaker Nabih Berri stressed the importance of "a close follow up to the internet scandal," describing it as a crucial aggression that cannot be overlooked.

Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, chaired on Wednesday at the Grand Serail a meeting devoted to explore the issue of illegal Internet networks. In the wake of the meeting, Telecommunications Minister, Boutros Harb, stressed the necessity to pursue investigations and unveil involved people in this regard.

Last week, Harb said these networks posed a threat to national security, and that the people behind these unlicensed networks were also behind the al-Barouk network, which was found to have satellite connections with "Israel" in 2009.

AN-NAHAR: Salam Assures Naturalization of Refugees Out of Question

On the eve of UN Chief Ban Ki-moon's arrival to Lebanon, ministerial sources told An-Nahar that at the time the official visit begins, the international community is at row over a few matters including: labeling Hizbullah as terrorist, conditioning the aids to Lebanon to finding job opportunities for the Syrian refugees, widening the implementation of UN resolution 1701 as well as the presidential elections.

The sources added that Lebanese officials do not view Ban's visit as positive, and see the only hope in the visit of the World Bank Group President, Jim Tong Kim who will accompany Ban and will be discussing financial aid to Lebanon or granting the country new loans.

On a related note, Prime Minister Tammam Salam assured in an interview with An-Nahar newspaper that during his meeting with Ban, he will reassure that the naturalization of Syrian refugees is out of question.

Ban will arrive today, March 24 in Lebanon to dialogue with the President of the Council of Ministers, Tammam Salam, and other officials, and will visit communities with Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

AL-BINAA: Questions o How Huge Equipment Entered Lebanon without Detection!

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri assured on Wednesday that he is willing to follow up on the internet scandal all the way until the end, even if it were surrounded by political or sectarian complications, said al-Binaa newspaper.

According to the source, Berri questioned "how could huge equipment and gears enter the country and go undetected by the security forces, knowing that all companies working in the telecoms sector have to take special permission from Ogero and the ministry of communication for importing any equipment."

Last week, Telecoms Minister Boutros Harb said the government confiscated communications devices that had been installed in various mountainous areas across Lebanon and used in unauthorized Internet networks.

According to Harb, "Installations, equipment, technical systems, IT and technical equipment, satellite dishes, wireless communication systems, power plants, international tracking systems, converting alternative energy systems, batteries, generators, and metal towers that were installed in different locations in the Lebanese mountains and high-altitude areas were uncovered and confiscated."

Source: al-Ahed News