Press Digest for Monday August 18, 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.

Gharib says Bou Saab’s decision undermines Lebanon’s educational sector

Hanna Gharib, a member of the Union Coordination Committee, said on Monday that Education Minister Elias Bou Saab and the whole cabinet should be held responsible, noting that they should bear the negative repercussions of the minister’s decision to grant official exam students certificates.

“This decision is ‘non-academic’ and undermines the educational sector in Lebanon as well as the Union Coordination Committee,” Gharib told As-Safir newspaper.

“We have been calling for our rights since three years and we will continue to do so,” he added.

Education Minister says will not backtrack on his decision to grant certificates

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said on Monday that he will not backtrack on his decision to issue certificates for students who sat for official exams, noting that it has already entered into force.

In an interview with As-Safir daily, Bou Saab said he was satisfied with the decision since "it was the only option left to preserve the students’ interests" after the Union Coordination Committee refused to correct the official exams.

The minister also said he had asked the UCC whether it wants to “save” the official certificate by correcting the exams or grant students passing certificates, adding that the committee opted for the second choice.

Oumama says Lebanese state showed flexibility on kidnapped soldiers dossier

Adnan Oumama, a member of the Association of Muslim Scholars, said on Monday that the Lebanese state was flexible in responding to the demands of gunmen who asked for the release of detainees in exchange of soldiers who were kidnapped in Arsal.

In this regard, Oumama told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the state has pledged to protect the wounded Syrian militants, which prompted Jabhat al-Nusra to release two security forces members yesterday as a good will gesture.

“Later on, gunmen will enumerate the detainees they want to release and the state will tackle the possibility of responding to their demands,” Oumama added.

Al-Akhbar: Singer-turned-Jihadist, Fadel Shaker, seen in Ain El-Helwe camp

Singer-turned-Jihadist, Fadel Shaker, was seen roaming the streets of the Ain El-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp on Saturday night, Al-Akhbar daily reported on Monday.

“Footage from surveillance cameras in the camp showed Shaker who has been on the run since over a year following the Abra clashes,” the newspaper said.