Press Digest for Sunday September 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.

Rifi urges political forces to ease tension

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stressed that the security meeting held on Saturday came within the framework of following up on the current security incidents and taking the necessary measures accordingly.

In a statement to al-Mustaqbal newspaper, Rifi revealed that the security measures were taken to deal with the repercussions of the case of the abducted soldiers.

In this regard, he urged the politicians to contribute in easing the tension prevailing over the country, stressing the need “to put an end to the retaliatory moves taking place here and there.”

Qatari envoy does not come to Beirut, reasons unclear – sources

Sources close to the security meeting held on Saturday, stressed that confronting the terrorist groups will go in line with the negotiations conducted with the kidnappers through the Qatari mediator.

The sources told al-Mustaqbal daily that the Director General of General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim did not explain during the meeting the reason that prevented the Qatari envoy from coming to Beirut as previously planned.

In this regard, the sources added that Maj. Gen. Ibrahim does not discuss the details of the ongoing negotiations outside the concerned official committee that includes Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq.

Army forces conducts raids in Arsal, refugee camps, arrest dozens of Syrian nationals -sources

Al-Hayat daily reported that the latest raid operations implemented by the Lebanese Armed Forces in Arsal and the refugee camps, following the explosion that targeted an army vehicle, led to the arrest of around 220 people, the majority of whom are Syrians.

In this context, security sources told the daily that the suspects were arrested in refugee camps located in the vicinity of the army bases and near the explosion site, noting that some of them will be released as soon as their situation is verified and proven non-suspicious.