Press Digest for Saturday September 28, 2013

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.

• ISF- Information Branch says Syria’s intelligence bureau behind Tripoli’s blasts            

Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted on Saturday a prominent official as saying that the Internal Security Forces-Information Branch sent him a message briefing him on the investigations that the branch is holding in the case of the 2 explosions that rocked the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.                              

In this regard, the newspaper noted that the message states that evidences are not complete; however, officials are proceeding with their investigations, emphasizing that the Syrian Intelligence Bureau stands behind the 2 explosions.                             

The message adds that Sheikh Hicham Monqara and the arrested Sheikh Ahmad Gharib are not involved in the incident.                              

• President Sleiman, PM-Designate Salam to discuss latest local and regional developments                     

An-Nahar newspaper said on Saturday that a meeting will be held in the upcoming 48 hours between Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam to discuss president Sleiman’s visit to New York as well as the meetings he held there.                          
The newspaper added that the two officials will discuss the latest local development in addition to the governmental file.       
                                                        

• German officials follow up on the file of Aazaz hostages                          

Sources following up on the file of the Lebanese hostages in Syria’s Aazaz told An-Nahar newspaper that the General Security head Major General Abbas Ibrahim met with German officials and discussed with them the issue of the kidnapped nationals.                          

Sources told An-Nahar that the kidnapping party, following the latest incidents in Aazaz, sought Germany’s help in the aforementioned file in an attempt to garner sympathy from Europe and to urge the Syrian government to release some of the prisons held at its jails.                       

On another note, a German mediator said efforts are being exerted to release the 2 bishops who were kidnapped since the 23rd of April.

• Sleiman expresses his relief regarding Lebanon’s participation in UN-General Assembly               

Political sources said on Saturday that the governmental file will get back to the forefront as of the coming week, following the return of President Michel Sleiman from his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.                   

In this regard, caretaker Environment Minister Nazem Khoury told Al-Liwaa newspaper that following his arrival, President Sleiman will hold talks with Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam to take a decision regarding the governmental formation.                

Sources added to Al-Liwaa newspaper that president Sleiman will not discuss the governmental formula with Saudi officials.             

On another note, the sources quoted president Sleiman as expressing his relief regarding Lebanon’s participation in the UN-General Assembly in New York.