DAILY SCOPE: Banking Sector, Central Bank Trying to Please the Americans
Local Editor
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES:
AS-SAFIR:
Where is the "Data" Investigation in "Israeli" Breach for Internet?
Kataeb Party Resign...Paralyzed Cabinet Does Not Collapse
AN-NAHAR:
Resignation of "Phalanges" Ministers Weakens Cabinet, Does Not Topple Government
Kerry, Mohammad Bin Salman Discuss Regional Issues, Combatting Terrorism
AL-AKHBAR:
Did the US Take Back its Umbrella for Stability in Lebanon?
"Israeli" Generals: We Do Not Have Hizbullah's Expertise
AL-BINAA:
Obama Holds Syria, al-Nusra Responsible for Truce...Clinton Stops Pampering Saudi Arabia
AL-JOMHOURIA:
New Crisis for Salam's Cabinet... Kataeb Resign
AL-LIWAA:
After Americans, French...German Troops Support Kurds in Manbij
Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday discussed the different Lebanese and regional developments in the different files, with special focus on the ongoing banking sector crisis as the Central bank and the banks seem to try to please the US and its officials rather than be keen on the interest of Lebanon and its people. The newspapers also touched on the resignation of Kataeb party ministers which did not lead to the toppling of the government.
AL-BINAA: Salameh Sends Several Messages to Appease Hizbullah
Well-informed sources told al-Binaa newspaper on Wednesday that head of the Central Bank Riyadh Salameh has sent several messages to Hizbullah through different mediums, assuring that he never meant to hurt Hizbullah or demean it. The source stressed that Salameh, and in light of the latest event, is trying to rearrange his cards to be in a position where he can stay clear of any accusations. The sources also pointed out that government has its shortcomings in terms of dealing with this file in particular, especially as the Lebanese government is very fragile and cannot tolerate such "explosive" files.
In a weekly meeting for Hizbullah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, the party warned that remarks by Salameh about the suspension of 100 Hizbullah-linked bank accounts reflect an inclination to renounce national sovereignty.
"The US Administration's recent targeting of the resistance and its people via the banking sector shall fail to achieve its goals," Loyalty to Resistance bloc said in a statement in the wake of its periodic meeting, under the chairmanship of bloc head, MP Mohammed Raad.
"The government and the Central Bank are directly concerned with protecting Lebanon's sovereignty and its monetary and social stability," the bloc said, categorically considering the recent stance by the Central Bank Governor as 'ambiguous and suspicious' which demonstrates the insubordinate of the monetary policy from the national sovereignty constraints.
AL-AKHBAR: Banking Sector, Central Bank Keen on Pleasing Americans
On a related note, March 8 sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that in terms of the attitude of the Central Bank Chief and the banking sector, "it seems alarming that both seem to be keen on not upsetting the Americans, and they in fact do not care about the damage that is inflicted on Lebanon and the interest of a huge portion of the Lebanese people."
The source pointed out that there should be a point of reference that can be in charge of dealing with this matter and resolve the crisis, which should be at least unbiased in dealing with the two sides of the crisis.
The source further stressed that instead of seeking to please the Americans, the Central bank and banking sector officials should seek the unity of the Lebanese people and rather make sure they are preserving the interest of the country and its people.
AS-SAFIR: Kataeb Ministers Resign But Government Still Functioning
On another note, ministerial sources sarcastically told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that "It seems that the political decision with both its dimensions, the internal and external, which was the reason behind the birth of the current government is still in effect," adding that "the government will remain to function due to synthetic resuscitation until further notice, and no resignation can affect it."
The Kataeb [Phalanges] Party has decided to ask its two ministers Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi and Economy Minister Alain Hakim to resign from Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government, Kataeb chief MP Sami Gemayel announced on Tuesday.
Moreover, ministerial sources told the paper that the resignation of the two Kataeb party ministers Alan Hakim and Sejaan Qazzi is final, adding that a few political entities had contacted the head of the party to talk him out of his decision, yet he assured he is very determined and that his decision is final.
"The Kataeb Party has decided to resign from the government because Lebanon needs a 'positive shock'," said Gemayel at a press conference, adding "For a while now, they have been trying to suppress us through cabinet mechanisms that were created with the aim of stifling our opinion and preventing us from stopping their deals."
Source: al-Ahed news
