Press Digest for Sunday August 24, 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.

Security source to An-Nahar: Suggested release of Roumieh inmates rejected

A security source told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that the suggested release of Roumieh inmates in exchange of kidnapped Lebanese soldiers was rejected.

This comes after consultations were held among politicians and security officials, notably Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq and Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi.

"The demands of terrorist kidnappers cannot be met," the source said, noting that the Lebanese state should not negotiate them nor pave the way for any other terrorist group to follow in their footsteps.

"The release of [Roumieh] prisoners is in the hands of the judiciary, not the political or security authority," the same source added.

New mediation efforts exerted to release Lebanese captives- source

A Lebanese ministerial source with knowledge of the negotiations being held to release the soldiers who have been kidnapped since August 12, said on Sunday that new mediation efforts are exerted in this regard.

The same source told Al-Hayat daily that these efforts were launched before the Muslim Scholars Association had suspended its negotiations and prior to media outlets about a potential Qatari mediation.

"The Lebanese government did not receive any offer from Qatar with regards to the release of soldiers who were kidnapped by Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra militants," the source said.

"If officials in Doha were to assist Lebanon in this file, the government will not refuse such an offer," the source added.

Finance Minister Khalil says no need for intervention in Lebanon to face terrorism

"There is no need today to mull an international intervention in Lebanon to address terrorism and the threat of the Islamic State, as it is the case in Iraq," Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Sunday.

"Backing the Lebanese army is a priority," the minister told Al-Hayat newspaper, noting that Lebanon can depend on its own internal forces.

"Should the presidential deadlock remain, the agreement that was reached among Lebanese officials to face terrorism and the Islamic State will be diminished," Khalil added.