Press Digest for Monday August 04, 2014

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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.

Clashes ongoing between Lebanese army, terrorists in Arsal- sources

Military sources told An-Nahar daily on Monday that the battle is ongoing between the Lebanese Armed Forces and terrorist groups in Arsal, stressing the need to put an end to the clashes in a bid to maintain stability.

"Ceasefire talks should be held between two states or two armies, not with foreign terrorist gunmen who are attacking the Lebanese army and the whole region as well," the same sources said.

The solution lies in fighting terrorism, the sources said, adding that "the toll the military is paying is low compared to the one the whole country would pay if terrorism remains a threat to Lebanon".

MP Hariri says fully supports Lebanese army, security forces

Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri said on Monday he fully supports the Lebanese Armed Forces and all security apparatuses in their efforts to retake full control of Arsal, a northeastern border town.

In an interview with Al-Hayat newspaper, Hariri highlighted the need to deal firmly with takfiri and terrorist groups and to thwart their "devastating" plot.

"Those groups have no choice but to evacuate the town," he said, noting that his party [the Future bloc] and the Lebanese state will not stand idly by in the face of threats facing the country.

Hezbollah hasn't intervened in battle against gunmen in Arsal -sources

Sources close to Hezbollah told As-Safir daily on Monday that the group has not intervened so far in the battle against gunmen in Arsal's barren range, noting that Hezbollah does not interfere with the work of the Lebanese army.

"The group is taking precautionary measures in the Lebanese villages that are adjacent to the Syrian border," the sources added.

Interior Minister Mashnouq underscores need to back Lebanese army

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq stressed on Monday the need to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in everything they deem essential to save Arsal, its residents and the displaced civilians coming from neighboring Syria.

In this regard, Mashnouq told As-Safir newspaper that Syrian gunmen must leave Arsal and a political agreement must be reached in today's cabinet session over a plan concerning the army in its operation to "liberate the occupied town of Arsal."

"High Relief Commission Secretary-General, Major General Mohammed Khair, has been tasked with holding political contacts to discuss the possibility of reaching a truce," Mashnouq concluded.