Press Digest for Friday September 05, 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.

Interior Minister Mashnouq underscores need to liberate Arsal

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the northeastern border town of Arsal should be liberated by all possible means.

"We must liberate Arsal on the political and social levels and when necessary on the security level via the powers that were given to the army and security forces," Mashnouq said.

The minister added that he was the first to warn against the situation in Arsal, before the recent clashes that broke out in the town.

Minister Fneish says swap deal to release kidnapped troops 'rejected'

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Fneish said on Friday he was reassured about the decisions that were taken yesterday during a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

In this regard, Fneish told Al-Joumhouria daily that none of the ministers support a swap deal to release the kidnapped Lebanese troops, noting that this new challenge should be addressed with patience.

"Politicians, scholars and the Lebanese media should all be aware of the threat of takfiri groups and their project," Fneish said, urging them to stand against those groups instead of helping them achieve their goals.

Bishop Sayyah: Cardinal Rai did not receive a pledge from the Vatican to settle presidential file

Bishop Boulos Sayyah said on Friday that Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai did not receive, during his latest visit to the Vatican, a pledge to break the stalemate over Lebanon's presidential elections.

Sayyah also said he has no information about a potential visit by a senior Vatican delegation to Lebanon in a bid to propose a new initiative over the presidential elections.

In an interview with Al-Joumhouria newspaper, Sayyah said Rai met with the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, and the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, with talks featuring high on the situation in the Middle East.

Derbass says govt voiced resentment over reaction to Arsal captives dossier

"The Lebanese government has voiced its resentment over the statements that were voiced by the families of the kidnapped troops," Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday.

"Protesters who held sit-ins in the Qalamoun town accused the government of rigorism and demanded negotiations with the kidnappers," Derbass said, noting that demonstrators outside the Grand Serail called for a military settlement in this regard.