DAILY SCOPE: Rules of Engagement for Hariri-Geagea, State Security Issue Still Unresolved

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:

Arab Ambassadors in Bkirki: Terrorism, Asylum and Presidency

Future" Head to Christians: Parity in Beirut not My Responsibility Alone

AN-NAHAR:

Determining Election Project Does Not Bring Draft-law to Light

AL-AKHBAR:

Harsh Battle in Zahle: Everything is Allowed

Did Hariri Freeze the Suspicious "Ramleh Bayda Deal"?

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Ban to Rahi: Presidential Vacuum Gone too Long

Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday tackled the different domestic and regional topics, with special focus on the pending crisis of state security and the Syrian refugees' crisis that has been putting more burdens on the Lebanese state. Newspapers also touched on the attempts to cool down the tension that has started between the once-strong alliance between Hariri and Geagea especially in light of the regional circumstances and ongoing events.

AS-SAFIR: Hariri-Geagea Relations Remain Cold, Rules of Engagement Set

As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday touched on the cold relations between the alliance between head of the Future Party MP Saad Hariri and Head of the Lebanese Forces MP Samir Geagea that was once a strong coalition.

According to the newspaper, and with the coming of the Easter holidays and Mayday, the two political leaders came together in a dinner banquet upon Hariri's invitation to Geagea which took place in presence of the two consultants Ghattas Khoury and Melhem Riyachi.

The newspaper went on to say that the dinner was an attempt to bring back some warmth to the relation that has become as cold as ice since Hariri decided to back Head of the Marada party Suleiman Franjieh for presidency, which was the reason for a rift between the two sides and led Geagea to nominate Head of the Free Patriotic Movement for the presidential race in response.

According to As-Safir, this dinner banquet represented an attempt to normalize relations between the two politicians, but it seemed to be inadequate as Hariri and Geagea are still on different pages in terms of the most important file in the country; the presidential elections. The daily further added that the dinner seemed to at least be an attempt to organize "the rules of engagement" between the two sides.

Sources told the newspaper that the two sides agreed on "cooling down" the dispute in the meantime, especially since there seems to be no solution to the presidential impasse in light of the regional situation.

AN-NAHAR: Cabinet to Discuss Refugee Camps Electricity Crisis, Other Issues

Lebanon's cabinet will convene on Wednesday afternoon to discuss several pending issues on its agenda, yet it will not include the controversial file of the State Security agency, reported An-Nahar daily.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, ministerial sources told the paper that the ministers will tackle the means to supply the camps of Syrian refugees with power after it was reported that the annual cost of electricity expenses Lebanon is bearing is some $400 million dollars.

Last week, the cabinet discussed a suggestion to install electricity meters in the Syrian camps in an attempt to cut down illegal connection on power cables which is burdening the Lebanese treasury with significant costs.

The agenda of Lebanon's cabinet includes 65 items and 116 draft-laws.

AL-JOMHOURIA: State Security Crisis Remains Unresolved

Ministerial sources reported on Wednesday that the results of the efforts of Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam in terms of the "state security" crisis and the telecoms data matter have not been exposed to anyone yet.

The cabinet, according to the paper, will not discuss the file of the State Security agency until Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who was tasked with finding a solution to the leadership rift between the agency's chief and his deputy, concludes his mission.

Source: al-Ahed News