DAILY SCOPE: Close Follow-Up on Scandals in Lebanon, Hollande’s Visit Holds Nothing New

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Netanyahu Declares from Syrian Occupied Land: World Must Acknowledge Golan is "Israeli"

Jumblatt Speaks Out Against "ISF": Judicial Police Targeted

AN-NAHAR:

Opposition Rejected De Mistura's Initiative to keep Assad in Transitory Phase

Doha Meeting Ended without Agreement on Oil Due to Saudi-Iranian Tensions

AL-AKHBAR:

Mafia Families Rule "Israel"

Signs of "Wrapping up" Internet Scandal?!

AL-JOMHOURIA:

No President...No "State Security" Today

Hollande Discussed Security, Refugees and Presidency

AL-LIWAA:

Netenyahu: Golan Part of "Israel" Forever

Yemeni Peace Talks in Kuwait Today

AD-DIYAR:

Hollande Assures Paris is Against Naturalizing Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Lebanese newspapers on Monday April 18, 2016 focused on the visit of French President Francois Hollande to Lebanon and its implications on Lebanon and the region, especially that it seemed to be like previous European visits that focused on preventing the waves of Syrian refugees from reaching Europe.

In addition to tackling Lebanese domestic files including the presidential deadlock, the illegal internet scandal and the security forces' corruption, the dailies also shed light on the words of the "Israeli" government's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who declared the occupied Golan Heights as part of "Israel" forever.

AS-SAFIR: Berri Assures Battle against Corruption will Continue until the End

Visitors of Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri quoted him as saying on Sunday that "The battle against corruption in the illegal internet file and the Internal Security Forces will continue until the end; where no shield will be provided to protect anyone, whether it were civilians or military personnel," reported As-Safir newspaper on Monday.

Moreover, the paper went on to say that Berri, with a challenging attitude, added that "All those who are being subject to pressure should only inform me and leave the rest to me."

Berri vowed to take action against any alleged parties trying to cover up for the scandals of corruption in the country, which include the illegal internet scandal, the Internal Security Forces embezzlement and the human trafficking ring that was were used for prostitution in a dozen night clubs.

Berri's vows come as news spread that some influential sides in Lebanon have been trying to "wrap up" the scandals and shield the people involved.

On another note, Berri said that the visit of French President Francois Hollande to Lebanon was "realistic" and did not leave the context of an informative visit, assuring that Hollande did not present any specific ideas in terms of resolving the presidential deadlock in the country, but he encouraged the Lebanese people to elect a president as soon as possible, and assured that help should be provided to Lebanon in carrying the burden of the Syrian refugees.

AL-AKHBAR: Daesh to Negotiate Fate of Policemen, Internet Equipment Entered Lebanon through Legal Paths

A mediator concerned with the abducted Lebanese soldiers' case told al-Akhbar newspaper that the military Emir of Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the Takfiri "ISIS" group] in Qalamoun has sent a letter to the "capital of the so-called Islamic caliphate" in Syria's Raqqa on the fate of the policemen who remain to be in the custody of the extremist group.

According to the source, he promised that the response will be positive in terms of opening up to the Lebanese state and negotiating again on the matter. Since January, sources have been reporting that the militant group is willing to negotiate with the Lebanese government for their release.

The Lebanese government announced in December 2015 that it was ready to begin negotiating a possible swap deal with Daesh when the militant group was ready.

As for the illegal internet scandal, well-informed sources told the newspaper that a large number of the equipment that were used in the illegal networks had entered Lebanon through Legal means, which raises more questions and increases the number of suspects involved in the scandal.

Moreover, head of the telecoms parliamentarian committee MP Hassan Fadlallah assured that a close and delicate follow up to the case is being carried out, and said that "the scandal has revealed there is a major flaw in the structure of the state as political and security figures seem to be involved in the scandal."

AL-BINAA: Hollande's Visit during Lost Time, Reassuring Stay of Refugees in Lebanon...

Well-informed sources told al-Binaa newspaper that the French president's visit to Lebanon comes during "lost time," especially that France plays no role in the Syrian settlement.

Holland's move, according to sources, comes in the context of showing the Christians in Lebanon that France cares and does not fear the future on the one hand, and that France is concerned with files of humanitarian nature on the other, where the President visited the camps of Syrian refugees in the Beqaa area.

Moreover, the newspaper quoted sources as saying that the visit also come in context of covering up for France's crimes, similar to other Western countries through its policies that led to the displacement of thousands of Syrian families who fled from their country in fear of terrorism.

In addition, sources assured that what matters to France is "preventing the waves of migration of Syrian refugees to Europe," assuring that "Hollande, just like all other Western and European delegations came to make sure Lebanon's shores do not turn into a starting point for the waves of refugees' migration to Europe."

Source: al-Ahed News