The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.
Well-informed sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the abducted Lebanese cameraman Samir Kassab is now being held in Syria’s Raqqa along with a team of Sky News Arabia as well as French doctors and journalists.
“The kidnappers transported Kassab to Raqqa following fierce battles in the northern city of Aleppo and after Jabhat al-Nusra, Islamic organizations and Free Syrian Army brigades took control of Aleppo’s liberated areas,” the sources said.
The daily added that the kidnappers did not come out, so far, with any specific demands, noting that they did not demand a ransom or exchanging the abducted with prisoners held by the regime.
A ministerial source told Al-Liwaa daily on Wednesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam has done the right thing by referring the policy statement issue to the cabinet, after he noticed that stances regarding controversial items remained unchanged.
The tenth meeting of the policy statement drafting committee, held on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Serail, ended with the referral of the discussions to the cabinet, which is set to hold a session at the Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday.
“PM Salam had already told President Michel Sleiman that he intended to take such step,” the source said.
Sources also told the newspaper that Speaker Nabih Berri was surprised by the decision of Salam who warned he may resign, adding that he urged him to be patient and to defer the aforementioned issue to Saturday instead of Thursday.
“After the policy statement drafting committee failed in its mission, one out of three scenarios may take place,” a ministerial source told An-Nahar daily on Wednesday.
“A settlement may be reached ahead of the cabinet session scheduled for Thursday; an understanding may be reached during tomorrow’s session; or the cabinet may fail in its mission, and thus the government becomes a caretaker cabinet,” the source said.
Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday that during investigations with the head of the Higher Relief Council (HRC) Ibrahim Bashir before Beirut Examining Magistrate Judge Ghassan Oueidat, Bashir talked about major differences between him and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
“Mikati used to ask me, since I represent the HRC, for assistance to Future bloc MP Mouin al-Merhebi as well as for two supporters of Ahmad al-Assir and several demands for other politicians, Bashir said.
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