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.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed on Thursday that his meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani was "very important," noting that the latter has given directives aiming to uphold bilateral relations between Qatar and Lebanon.
"Qatar has vowed to provide the Lebanese government with direct assistance in terms of helping the Syrian refugees, Mikati told As-Safir daily, adding that the Qatari assistance program will continue to help Lebanon through the International Support Group for Lebanon and humanitarian bodies.
Caretaker PM Mikati said he agreed with the Emir of Qatar on the need to hold the Geneva 2 conference and to find a political settlement for the Syrian crisis in order to stop the bloodshed, restore unity and lay the foundations of a comprehensive national reconciliation.
Speaker Nabih Berri praised his visit to Tehran as "successful," noting that the Iranian leadership's policy is characterized with wisdom and works for the interest of its people as well as the regional countries.
In a question directed at Berri over whether he mediated between Iran and Saudi Arabia, he told An-Nahar newspaper that no one asked him to do so, and said: "If they ask me to do it, I will do my utmost to uphold relations between both countries while taking into consideration Lebanon's interests".
Speaker Berri said he will continue to exert tireless efforts in order to pull the country out of its internal crises, stressing that communications and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran have a positive impact on Lebanon.
A meeting will be held on Thursday at the Parliament's plenary hall, upon the invitation of Speaker Nabih Berri, with talks featuring high on the threats of Israeli espionage on Lebanon.
The meeting will be attended by members of media and foreign affairs committees, the concerned ministers as well as a number of ambassadors and diplomats.
As-Safir daily reported that the confirmed number of ambassadors, diplomats and charges d'affaires has reached 30, although invitations were also sent to the European Union's ambassadors, the UN Security Council's five permanent members and others.
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel who accompanied caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to Qatar, said on Thursday that talks over the two abducted bishops' dossier "were serious and positive," adding that Qatar is following up closely on the file.
"A high-ranking Qatari official has been tasked with cooperating with General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim in this regard," he said.
Charbel also told An-Nahar newspaper that Qatar has voiced its readiness to assist Lebanon in several fields, mainly in helping the country cope with the rising influx of Syrian refugees.