DAILY SCOPE: Cabinet in More Paralysis, Lebanon Defies ’Israeli’ Accusations at UNSC

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LEBANESE DAILIES:

AS-SAFIR:

"Israeli" Rabbi: Abuse "Non-Jewish" Women

Political Conflict between Berri, Future Party

AN-NAHAR:

Lebanon Confronts "Israel" at the Security Council, French Minister Did not Bring Any Initiatives

AL-AKHBAR:

Netanyahu Pushing Towards a "Regional Conference" with "Moderate States"

AL-BINAA:

Kerry to Moscow, Lavrov Criticizes Slackening of De Mistura

AL-JOMHOURIA:

Ayrault Promised Communicating with Riyadh, Tehran

AL-LIWAA:

Settler Gangs Raid al-Aqsa Mosque, Call for Occupying It

Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday discussed the results of the cabinet session that was held on Tuesday. Also, the papers touched on the stances of the French Foreign Minister following his visit to several Lebanese politicians.

Also, the Lebanese dailies touched on the response of Lebanon's representative to the UN to the accusations of the Zionist representative on the tenth anniversary of the 2006 July war.

AN-NAHAR: Nawwaf Stands in Face of Danon, Mocks his Baseless Accusations

An-Nahar Lebanese daily on Wednesday followed up on the events that took place at the UN Security Council, as the Lebanese representative Nawwaf Salam stood in face of the "Israeli" accusations made by the "Israeli" representative Danny Danon on the tenth anniversary of the 2006 "Israeli" aggression on Lebanon.

Danon had presented satellite imagery, claiming that the village of Shaqra has been turned into a Hizbullah stronghold. He further claimed that one out of three buildings used for terror activities, including rocket launchers and arms depots.

Salam mocked the claims of Danon, reminding that "Israel" had launched a war against Lebanon ten years ago, in which it used the most dangerous and banned weapons; cluster bombs. Salam also stressed that "Israel" has breached Lebanon's sovereignty 11856 times, not to mention the ongoing occupation of the Lebanese territory in the Shebaa farms and the Kafarshouba hills.

Salam also reminded that the "Israeli" army had bombed the Jiyeh power plant in the 2006 war, which led to serious oil leaks and resulted in a real environmental crisis.

AS-SAFIR: Government Institutions Sinking in Further Paralysis

In light of the ongoing crises in Lebanon, and the presidential void that has seen no solution yet, As-Safir newspaper said on Wednesday that the cabinet session that was held on Tuesday assured that "all public sector institutions are in coma and paralysis."

According to the paper, the cabinet meeting extended over three hours, during which the ministers listened to the evaluation of the Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil who assured that "there is no real state in Lebanon" because the Parliament and Council of Ministers are paralyzed and that the government is barely a caretaker government for the moment. The cabinet session held on Tuesday, according to As-Safir, is nothing but a scream that will not flyover the walls of the cabinet.

On another note, the minister suggested to activate the grants allocated to the Syrian refugees' crisis, pointing out that the current cost of the crisis has reached 15 billion dollars. He further explained that the annual cost of the crisis is approximately 30% of domestic production.

He also pointed out that Lebanon had demanded 2140 million dollars from the international community in 2015, but all what Lebanon had received was 1100 million dollars, stressing that this has a negative impact on the economic situation in general.

AL-AKHBAR: Seniora Attempts to Ruin Hariri-Berri Relations, Khalil Responds to Seniora Accusations

"Without prior notice, Former PM Fouad Seniora opened his fire on Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil," said al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday. The paper pointed out that the March 8 camp and some of the Future party members believe that Seniora wants to ruin the relation between House Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Saad Hariri.

Khalil was locked in a war of words Tuesday with Seniora, as the latter accused Khalil of corruption and bribery at the Finance Ministry as well as mismanagement of public funds.

Khalil, in response to the accusations said that "Everybody knows that those accusations only apply to Seniora's mandate."

He went on to say that "The Ministry of Finance does not need a certificate from somebody who is accused and under accountability," adding "Seniora had best confront us and we defy him to meet before the public opinion and judicial authorities to pursue him for corruption and public funds waste."

Source: al-Ahed News