Press Digest for Friday October 18, 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.

• Mufti Chaar: Security apparatuses must implement comprehensive security plan in Tripoli

Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek Chaar told Al-Anbaa newspaper on Friday that a comprehensive security plan must be implemented in Tripoli.

He also urged the security apparatuses to take "serious" procedures to restore peace and stability in the city.

Mufti Chaar hailed the efforts deployed by the Internal Security Force Intelligence Bureau in revealing the perpetrators of Tripoli's twin blasts.

• Case of Lebanese hostages in Aazaz to soon see an end-sources

Sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday that the case of the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz and the two abducted Turkish pilots will soon see an end.

Same sources added that contacts were underway in this regard between President Michel Sleiman and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

According to the Daily, Qatar's Emir promised President Sleiman that "the Lebanese hostages will return to their families as soon as possible."

Sources concluded by saying that the hostages will return all at once.

• LF leader Geagea: Reason behind political crisis is rejection of Taef accord

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday that the reason behind the political crisis in Lebanon is the rejection of some Lebanese leaders of the Taef accord.

He also slammed the attempts of some Christian leaders to amend the mentioned accord.

As for the formation of the new government, Geagea said that the "leaders are not assuming their constitutional responsibilities in this regard."

Geagea reiterated to the Daily his rejection to the 9-9-6 formula, adding that it gives more than the blocking third to a particular party.

• UN Spokesman Nesirky: UN Chief Ban Ki-moon to set date to Geneva conference

United Nations spokesman Martin Nesirky told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman tackled with officials in Moscow and London the possibility of holding the Geneva conference next month.

Nesirky added that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will set a date for the Geneva conference "when the appropriate circumstance are available."