DAILY SCOPE: High Security Alert in Lebanon, Terrorist Networks Uncovered

Local Editor

LEBANESE DAILIES:

AS-SAFIR:

Ramadan Security Exceptional...Procedures Include UNIFIL

Akkar, Saida Terrorist Networks: Christian and Military Targets

AL-AKHBAR:

Al-Mashnouq: Saudi Arabia Pushed Us towards Truce with Damascus...Britain Nominated Franjieh

AL-BINAA:

After Failure of "Democratic Syria" Attack...Raqqa under Army Fire

Lebanon: Constitutional, Political Void...Unable to Produce Settlements

AD-DIYAR:

Al-Mashnouq: Saudi Arabia Forces Us to Seek Truce with Damascus, Britain, US, and Saudi Arabia Nominated Franjieh

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Presidential, Parliamentary and Governmental Failure

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Lebanese newspaper on Friday discussed several topics including the dismantling a terrorist group affiliated to Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"] in Khorbat Dawoud town in Akkar North of Lebanon. Also, newspapers touched on the ongoing repercussions of the municipal elections that took place over four rounds in May.

As-Safir newspaper said on Friday that the security alert across Lebanon looks similar to that taking place in Europe, especially in France, Italy and Germany. According to the paper, there has been so much talk that a major security operation will take place in the holy month of Ramadan.

The state of high alert in Lebanon allowed the Lebanese army and security forces to dismantle a Daesh-affiliated terrorist group, under the leadership of Abu Walid al-Souri in Raqqa.

According to information provided to As-Safir newspaper, the story started to unravel as the security forces arrested Mahmoud A. who was the beginning of the thread to the rest of the network. According to sources, the terrorist plots would have been similar to the suicide attacks that took place in Burj al-Barajneh, especially that the mastermind is the same person: "Abu Walid al-Souri".

The sources revealed that he had prepared and equipped two suicide attackers who were supposed to blow up themselves in "areas of immoral activities" as said one of the arrested suspects. The sources said that it was revealed later on that three Christian areas in East of Beirut were targets for the terrorist suicide attackers.

Lebanese forces are engaged in operations to stop Daesh spillover from the northern border with Syria. Lebanese security frequently conducts raids in the north, especially in the town of Arsal, and has busted multiple Daesh cell groups.

In November 2015, two suicide bombers detonated their explosive belts in the area of Burj al-Barajneh in Beirut's Southern suburb, leaving at least 41 martyrs and 211 injured. According to eyewitnesses, the blasts happened around 6 p.m. when the area gets overcrowded with the worshippers and the shoppers.

AL-JOMHOURIA: Municipal Elections' Repercussions Continue

Lebanese daily al-Jomhouria said on Friday that the repercussions of the municipal elections that took place in May are ongoing, whether the positive or negative.

According to sources, there seems to be some progress between the Future party and the Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who has been in a rift with the party. According to sources, Head of the Future Bloc Fouad Seniora said that he is in contact with Rifi, assuring that the results of the Tripoli elections are being studied inside the Future party.

Rifi's relationship with the Future Movement, to which he was close, has been strained over policy differences, most clearly on display when he resigned from the Cabinet in February without prior consultation or notice.

Political sources in Tripoli said that Rifi's move is a big gamble, because of which he will either end up as a major political figure in Tripoli, or it would be his political suicide."

Also, the newspaper pointed out that negative repercussions of the elections have surfaced between the Future party and the Lebanese Forces after the latest dispute between MP Saad Hariri and head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea on the back drop of Geagea's interview in which he made different statements.

Geagea announced in an interview that the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement faced a "major war" from all parties in the latest municipal polls, especially the Future party.

AL-AKHBAR: Daesh Trying to Control Ain al-Hilweh Camp in South Lebanon

Back to the terrorist cells and their activity in Lebanon, security sources told al-Akhbar newspaper the Palestinian camps which are usually hot hubs for the terrorist groups are relatively quiet and calm, yet it stressed that Daesh is spreading across Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian camp in Saida in South Lebanon, and has been mobilizing Islamists from the different groups and organizations with the aim of taking control over the camp.

The escalation of events in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp has prompted Palestinian and Lebanese officials to attempt to contain the situation, as developments in the camp could impact Sidon and other neighboring areas. In addition to being home to the terrorist groups, Ain al-Hilweh witnessed skirmishes between rival Palestinian factions over several weeks in March, and has been repeatedly rocked by gun violence.

Source: al-Ahed News