DAILY SCOPE: Ball in Court of Lebanese Banks, National Unity Can Prevent US Act Implementation

Local Editor

LEBANESE DAILIES:

AS-SAFIR:

Sisi to "Israelis": Come to a Warmer Peace!

Salameh Controls Mechanism for Implementation of US Sanctions

AN-NAHAR:

Hollande and Hariri: Rai's Suggestions to End Void

AL-AKHBAR:

Hizbullah Warns again from Collapse, Salameh Suggests Incomplete Solution

AL-BINAA:

End of Hariri Project for Temporary Presidency, Berri Calls for Parliamentary Elections and Direct Presidential Elections

AL-JOMHOURIA:

French Concern to End Presidential Void

Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday discussed several topics most important of which was the tension between Hizbullah and Head of the Central Bank Riyadh Salemeh, on the backdrop of the US financial sanctions imposed on the party.

AL-BINAA: Future Party Supporting US Sanctions, National Unity Prevents Such Measure

Well-informed sources told al-Binaa newspaper that "the stance of the Future party is an umbrella to the US sanctions on Hizbullah," pointing out that "The US sees these sanctions as a matter of political dispute which justifies the continuation of the process. If there were a national unity among the Lebanese and a complete rejection to the sanctions imposed on the resistance then these sanctions could have been annulled."

The sources further noted that "head of the Future bloc Fouad Seniora was not happy with the parliamentary delegation that visited New York; he was suspicious about the outcome of the meetings and leaked information that the atmosphere was "Zero" and so are the sanctions."

On December 18, 2015, US President Barack Obama signed into law the so-called Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act.

The legislation says Washington will target those "knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions for" Hizbullah or any individual, business or institution linked to the group.

AN-NAHAR: French Diplomatic Move to End Presidential Void

On another note, diplomatic sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that the talks that took place between Saad Hariri and French President Francois Hollande were related to the presidential elections in Lebanon, and the ways to end the void.

According to the source, the two sides discussed the suggestions that were presented by the Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai to the French President earlier, in light of the domestic and regional impediments.

Still, the same sources noted that the path to the Baabda Palace is far, and that more consultations and efforts are required to end the presidential impasse in the country.

Moreover, An-Nahar said that Hollande is trying to get a full picture of the situation in Lebanon before making diplomatic moves or steps to end the void in the country, adding that Hollande's upcoming meeting with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman who will visit Paris by the end of May and also his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Mid-June are considered as two major stations that can give a clear image to the obstacles that stand in the way of electing a president in Lebanon.

Some thirty-eight sessions have so far failed to secure the needed quorum to elect a new head of state in a prolonged crisis, which has largely hindered the work of the Parliament and Cabinet.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when Michel Sleiman's tenure ended.

AS-SAFIR: Ball in Court of Lebanese Banks

Political sources told As-Safir newspaper that Hizbullah considers that the ball is in the court of Banks after the statement issued by head of the Central Bank Riyadh Salameh. The sources pointed out that the Banks should abide by the statement, expressing worries towards some banks that might cross the rules set by Salameh.

Ministerial sources told As-Safir that the Banks are required to be more realistic in handling the American law and its practical clauses, underscoring that some are overdoing things and going even farther than what Washington wants.

Earlier on Tuesday, Member of Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc Sayed Hasan Fadlallah condemned the Lebanese banks' obedience to the US Act which targets any individual or institution related to the organization. Fadlallah asserted that the Resistance will overcome the US regulations.

Lebanese Minister of Finance Ali Hasan Khalil announced that PM Tammam Salam will hold a meeting to discuss the US Act and the processes needed to tackle its repercussions amid contradictory reports about its implementation.

Source: al-Ahed News