DAILY SCOPE: Indian Mahindra with Close Ties to ’Israel’ Operating in Lebanon, Lebanon’s Security Worrying

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Saudi Pressure on Hariri to Open Battle against Hizbullah

Is State Involved in Illegal Internet Scandal?!

AN-NAHAR:

Necessary Legislation Races Municipal Elections Month

AL-AKHBAR:

Lebanon Recruits Indian Company that Helps "Israeli: Army!

AL-BINAA:

Syria: "Israeli" Threats Coincide with Threats to Withdraw from Geneva, Truce

Russian-US Talks to Determine Frame of "al-Nusra War", Regional Clashes

The ongoing Presidential void which will become two years old in coming May, the unraveling illegal internet scandal that has exposed scary facts concerning security breaches and the alarming state security were the top issues discussed by Lebanese newspapers on Tuesday. The Lebanese dailies also tackled the new Saudi pressure exerted on Head of the Future party Saad Hariri to start a new battle against Hizbullah and revealed that Lebanon has been recruiting an Indian company that cooperates with the "Israeli" occupation forces.

AS-SAFIR: Lebanon without President, Parliamentary Elections Held on Schedule

Starting with As-Safir newspaper, the daily wrote that "on the 24th of May 2016, Lebanon would break the Guinness record for "national incompetence for two years after its failure to elect a president... and the story goes on."

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned Monday the presidential election for the 38th time after the number of lawmakers fell short of the required quorum to cast votes. Berri scheduled the presidential vote for May 10.

The newspaper went on to discuss the parliamentary elections, quoting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as saying that "The parliamentary elections will be held on their due schedule based on Lebanon's electoral law that would be available at time, and if the rival parliamentary blocs fail to reach an agreement, then the elections would be held on the basis of the 1960 law."

Berri did not express losing hope yet, and assured there is a possibility to reach a deal on a new draft-law. He also stressed that the municipal polls and parliamentary elections are not entwined. Municipal elections are scheduled for coming May.

"I had supported the extension for the parliament's term the last time even though I was not wholehearted about it," Berri said, assuring that the decision was made for one fundamental reason of which everyone is aware.

AL-JOMHOURIA: Worrying Signs on Lebanon's Security, Internet Scandal Investigations Ongoing

Well-Informed sources told al-Jomhouria newspaper that the security of Lebanon in the near future seems to be alarming for the first time since plan "B" has been launched in Syria.

Al-Jomhouria quoted Russian sources as saying "it received worrying signs related to the battleground in Syria, especially on the backdrop of talks about ‘Plan B' discussed by Saudi Arabia, the US and Turkey."

The sources expressed worries that if the battle of Aleppo takes place according to plans, then it will break the truce and start a harsh war, adding that such violence will for sure leave its repercussions on Lebanon. Furthermore, the sources urged all sides in the country to consolidate and support the Lebanese army which might be confronting a new challenge on the Eastern borders.

Plan B stipulates that if the UN-mediated Geneva talks between the Syrian government and foreign-backed extremist groups fail to bring about the regime change in Syria the United States wants, then Washington will up its support to al-Qaeda linked groups by equipping them with more powerful weapons than the CIA which Washington's regional allies including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, have already given them.

On another note, State Minister Rashid Derbas told al-Jomhouria that "Prime Minister Tammam Salam has decided to resolve the Internal Security embezzlement scandal away from the limelight and in accordance with law," stressing that "the matter should not be discussed publically and through media outlets."

As for the internet scandal, high-ranking judicial sources told the newspaper that investigations are ongoing, pointing out that "investigations might require additional time before decisions and verdicts are issued especially that the case is multi-dimensional and requires delicate inquiries."

Lebanon's illegal Internet scandal has been a hot topic since it was exposed last month. Illegal transmission stations and equipment have been dismantled and legal and judicial investigations are ongoing with the concerned authorities assuring the prosecution of everyone involved.

AL-AKHBAR: Indian Company Paves Way for "Israel" to Operate Freely in Lebanese Territories

Following the illegal internet scandal that gave "Israel" access to espionage on Lebanon, a new story has been reported by al-Akhbar newspaper, revealing that Indian Mahindra Industrial group has been granted a consultative role by the UN forces in Lebanon to construct three industrial cities in Lebanon is the Homeland Security partner of the "Israeli" Export and International Cooperation Institute [IEICI].

According to the newspaper, the approximately $17 billion global federation of companies has huge activities in "Israel" some of which are in the military field. It further pointed out that the IEICI is an "Israeli" governmental agency that functions under the supervision of the Labor Ministry.

The Business Insider reported in 2015 that a unit of Mahindra would have about 250 employees and had identified 120 projects which would begin an automation process in "Israel".

This deal which was sealed in 2014 and represented a boom in ties between India and "Israel" makes the consultation role played by Mahindra in Lebanon alarming as it paves the way for "Israel" to operate freely in Lebanese territories, warned al-Akhbar.

On this note, Industry Minister Hussein Haj Hassan told al-Akhbar daily that the ministry has not been involved in the deal with Mahindra, noting that it was tasked to do the work by the UN Industrial Development Organization in Lebanon.

Haj Hassan underscored that the ministry must make sure there is a contract between the company and the "Israeli" enemy before making any move, stressing that if such relations existed, then the ministry will contact the UN Industrial Development Organization.

About half of Tech Mahindra's business is in telecoms with the rest from banking, healthcare and manufacturing. Tech Mahindra owns "Israel's" Leadcom, a provider of network services for telecom companies, after it bought Leadcom's parent Lightbridge Communications in February 2015.

Source: al-Ahed News