​​​​​​​Arab press: Tension between Moscow and Ankara in Idlib; France to Libya from the Tunis Gate

On Thursday morning, Arab press touched on the situation in Idlib, in addition to the Libyan crisis, and the American-Iranian conflict.

Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Military reinforcements in Idlib and tension between Moscow and Ankara

The Arab newspapers issued this morning dealt with several issues in the Syrian issue, the most prominent of which was the situation in Idlib. In this context, Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper said, "Yesterday information emerged about the Turkish army sending reinforcements to Idlib countryside, in parallel with the mobilization of the Syrian regime forces loyal to them on the front lines." This indicates the trend of the situation in Idlib towards further deterioration.

The head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, Oleg Goravlyov, announced that the militants of the "Jabhat al-Nusra" bombed the town of Ma`arat Mokis in Idlib, but pointed out that "no bombing was observed by illegal pro-Turkish formations", and there were indications that a discrepancy between Moscow and Ankara about Libya reflected on the situation in Idlib.

An explosion occurred during the passage of a convoy of the Turkish forces and the opposition factions loyal to them in Ghassaniyeh, southwest of Idlib, near the Aleppo-Lattakia road, while flying Russian aircraft.

There are conflicting reports about the reasons. Where local sources said that the explosion was caused by IED targeting the Turkish convoy, while other sources said that it occurred during the flights of Russian aviation, in preparation for a joint military patrol with Turkish forces on the Aleppo-Lattakia road.

Al-Arab: "Isolated" France, west of Libya, is trying to enter through Tunisia

Regarding the Turkish intervention in Libya, Al-Arab newspaper said, "France started moving to regain its lost influence in Tunisia, in a move seen as an attempt to reduce its isolation in Libya, especially after the recent field developments that led to the control of Turkey's ally Islamic militias over most of the western regions of the country, which is What was expressed by French Foreign Minister John Yves Laudrian, who confirmed on Wednesday that "a Syrian scenario is repeated in Libya and the situation is very disturbing."

Tunisian Defense Minister Emad al-Hazqi discussed Tuesday evening with his French counterpart, Florence Barley, the situation in Libya, where the Tunisian minister stressed his country's rejection of all forms of foreign interference, calling for the need to find a Libyan-Libyan solution to the conflict.

By the way, the Minister of the French armies extended an invitation to al-Hazqi to head the Tunisian side in the 28th session of the works of the joint French-Tunisian military commission to be held in Paris in late September.

Turkey and most of the United States have monopolized the United States since 2011 military cooperation and training agreements with Tunisia, as the countries supplied Tunisia with weapons and equipment in moves that reflected a form of growing influence in the two countries in Tunisia in exchange for a decline in French influence.

Tunisian political analyst, interested in Libyan affairs, Mustafa Abdel Kabir said that Tunisian-French relations are important to Paris, which explains the French Minister of Defense's emphasis on the need to strengthen military cooperation.

Abdel Kabir added in a statement to “Al-Arab” that “Tunisia’s strategic location and geography are important to Paris and all countries that want to fight a battle inside Libya.”

He explained, "It seems that what is happening recently indicates that an international battle will take place inside Libya, especially with the recent developments that revealed the growing Turkish role after the Accord government took control of al-Wattia base with Turkish support, which forced the Libyan army to withdraw from them with minimal damage and minimal losses."

There are frequent reports that Turkey is beginning to take concrete steps to implement the plan for a permanent military presence in Libya by controlling the strategic air force base, which appears to be an American blessing, which poses a real threat to France's plans to invest in western Libya.

Proceeding from this position, Paris solidarity with Greece and Cyprus and opposed the agreement to demarcate the maritime borders between the Islamists ’government in Tripoli and Turkey, although the agreement does not directly harm its interests.

The French and Greek positions impede the American-Turkish efforts that have become clear during the past days to involve NATO in the Libyan conflict.

Al-Ain: Washington is choosing Iran between dialogue with it or economic collapse

On the Iranian issue, Al-Ain newspaper said, "The American special envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, chose Tehran between dialogue with Washington or the economic collapse."

On Wednesday, Hook said, US President Donald Trump's "extreme pressure" policy is choosing Iran between negotiating with the United States or facing an economic meltdown as a result of US sanctions.

"due to our pressure, Iran's leaders face a choice: either negotiate with us or deal with an economic meltdown," Hook told reporters at a conference call.

On Wednesday, the United States pledged to end sanctions exemptions that would allow European, Chinese and Russian companies to continue work aimed at making Iranian nuclear facilities less vulnerable to use in developing weapons.

T/S

ANHA