Press Digest for Thursday September 25, 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.

Saudi Minister al-Faisal says terrorist organizations such as IS defame Islam

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Saudi Arabia is adamant on partaking in every effort that aims at addressing terrorism.

Al-Faisal added that terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State are not helping Muslims, noting that they defame Islam.

According to the daily, the minister reiterated that Saudi Arabia is willing to help Lebanon address terrorism.

Iraqi PM al-Abadi says Iraqi people are paying the price of the regional crisis

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi told An-Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Iraq asked the help of the International community in addressing the terrorism of the Islamic State.

Al-Abadi said that the international community is to be blamed for the deteriorating security situation in neighboring Syria, adding that the Iraqi people are paying the price of that mistake.

He noted that Lebanon is also sinking under the burden of the regional crisis.

PM Salam discusses with Turkey's Erdogan the case of Arsal abducted troops

Sources told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the case of the abducted Lebanese troops in Arsal on the sidelines of the meeting at the United Nations General Assembly.

The sources added that Lebanon asked the help of Turkey in ensuring the release of the troops, mainly after Turkey succeeded in freeing the Turkish nationals who were held captive by the Islamic State in Iraq.

According to the daily, negotiations are still ongoing via Qatari mediators to ensure the safety of the troops above all, and their release in the near future.

Attacks on the army posts in Tripoli aim at drawing the army's attention away from Arsal-sources

Security sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that the latest attacks on the army posts in the northern city of Tripoli aim at distracting the army, drawing its attention away from the border town of Arsal.

The same sources added that the current situation in Tripoli will not affect Arsal, noting that the Lebanese army is in full control of the northern city.

According to the daily, the Lebanese army intelligence bureau is carrying out raids on the armed groups that are targeting the army posts.

The same sources concluded by saying that the army will not allow Tripoli to beome "another Arsal."