Press Digest for Thursday August 21, 2014

3^min

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.

Minister Machnouq says negotiations to release the captive soldiers must remain under wraps

Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim is not conducting any negotiations with any foreign parties pertaining to the kidnapped soldiers in Arsal.

Machnouq stressed the importance of keeping the negotiations to release the troops under wraps to ensure the safe return of the soldiers.

PSP leader MP Jumblatt says he supports "the technical extension" of the parliament's mandate

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday that he supports the "technical extension" of the parliament's mandate for one year.

On another note, Jumblatt stressed that the solution for the presidential deadlock is in the hands of "the Maronite Establishment."

Jumblatt voiced hopes that the Lebanese leaders would derive lessons from past presidential elections.

LF party may boycott the parliamentary session tasked with discussing the extension of the parliament's mandate-sources

Sources told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that the Lebanese Forces MPs are currently discussing the possibility of boycotting the parliamentary session tasked with tackling the extension of the parliament's mandate.

The same sources added that the March 14 camp, including the Kataeb party, will vote in favor of the extension of the parliament's mandate.

Hezbollah welcomes any possible meeting between Nasrallah, Rai-sources

Sources close to Hezbollah told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the Shi'ite party welcomes any possible meeting between Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai.

The same sources added that the security threats remain the sole obstacles that prevent such a meeting.

According to the daily, the sources stressed that the dangers posed by the Islamic State require the unity of all Lebanon's components, not only the minorities.