Press Digest for Thursday August 28, 2014

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.

• PM Salam says Lebanese army's weapons are the sole protector of the Lebanese people

Prime Minister Tammam Salam told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that the Lebanese security apparatuses thwarted several suicide attacks that were aiming at fomenting sectarian strife in the country.

"The Lebanese army's weapons are the sole protector of all the Lebanese people," he added.

Salam noted that the Saudi grant to the military institution will boost the capacities of the army.

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Salam noted that the latest meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri tackled the presidential elections.

He also stressed that the case of the kidnapped soldiers in Arsal is being followed up by the concerned authorities, welcoming any mediation efforts to ensure the safe return of the captives.

• Patriarch Rai blames major International powers for the presidential vacuum in Lebanon

Visitors of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai quoted him as saying on Thursday that he does not favor any particular candidate for the presidential elections, urging the lawmakers to elect a president as soon as possible.

The same sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper that Rai blamed the ambassadors of the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members for the presidential vacuum, noting that the major powers would have exerted more pressure on the Lebanese MPs had "they really wanted the presidential elections to be held."

He also blamed the major International powers for the massacres carried out by the Islamic State against the Christians of the Middle East.

• No armed groups were smuggled through border town of Arsal- security sources

Security sources denied to Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday media reports stating the infiltration of armed groups into the border town of Arsal coming from Syria.

The same sources noted that Lebanese Armed Forces units were deployed in the town to observe any suspicious movements.

• Syrian ambassador Ali says Syria ready to cooperate with Lebanon in terms of security

Syrian ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that Lebanon will not be able to face terrorism alone, stressing the need to stop funding terrorism.

Ali also reiterated Syria's support to the Lebanese army, noting the readiness of the Syrian authorities in terms of cooperation with Lebanon on the security level.