Press Digest for Monday September 08, 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.

Lebanon's officials hold contacts to avoid reactions to the killing of LAF soldier

Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Monday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq held contacts with Hezbollah Secretary General's Political Assistant Hussein Khalil and the head of Hezbollah's Liaison and Coordination unit Wafiq Safa.

Talks featured high on the need to avoid reactions to the killing of Lebanese Armed Forces soldier Abbas Medlej.

The officials also agreed that the Islamic State aims to foment a Sunni-Shi'ite strife, the same sources said, noting that they stressed the need to thwart this plot.

Mashnouq says contacts held with Hezbollah's leadership to ease tension

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq said on Monday that a delegate from Qatar has been tasked with holding negotiations with the kidnappers of Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers, noting that he is not a Qatari national.

In an interview with As-Safir daily, Mashnouq said the kidnappers' demands are under discussion, pointing out that contacts are being held with Hezbollah's leadership in a bid to ease tension, he said in reference to protests staged over the killing of LAF soldier Abbas Medlej, a Shi'ite Muslim.

The minister added that he will continue to exert tireless efforts in order to prevent the country from sliding into the unknown.

Labor Minister warns against protests over Arsal captives dossier

Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi warned on Monday against widespread protests over the kidnapping of LAF soldiers early last month.

"Demonstrations pose an internal threat we should be aware of in the fight against the external threat, i.e. the Islamic State," Azzi told An-Nahar newspaper.

"Some parties are trying to portray the cabinet as the Islamic State itself," the minister said, adding that the government is currently bearing negligence and mistakes committed by others.

Rifi says Judicial Council holding intensive trial sessions for Islamist detainees in Roumieh

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi said on Monday that the Judicial Council is holding intensive trial sessions for the Islamist detainees in Roumieh, noting that he has been adamant on settling this file since he took office.

"Claims that expedited trials are being held over the Arsal captives dossier are inaccurate and untrue," Rifi told Al-Joumhouria newspaper.