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.
A Lebanese source with knowledge of the Arsal captives dossier told As-Safir daily on Friday that the ministerial crisis cell, which had convened earlier this week at Defense Minister Samir Moqbel's office, did not agree on a swap deal to release the kidnapped troops.
"Any stance beyond what has been agreed upon during the meeting is nothing but a personal standpoint," the source said, in a veiled reference to the latest stance issued by Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq.
Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq said on Friday that the ministerial crisis cell's meeting, held earlier this week at Defense Minister Samir Moqbel's office in Yarzeh, has agreed on "specific headlines" that shall remain confidential.
"What I had mentioned regarding the swap deal goes in line with the cabinet decisions that were issued on the 4th of September," Mashnouq said, in an interview with As-Safir newspaper.
"The Lebanese cabinet has called for further contacts with the countries that may have a positive impact on the Arsal captives dossier," he explained, adding that contacts shall be held as per the law.
Lebanon has been in a “defensive war” with jihadists since the country is unable to launch offensive operations against them, Prime Minister Tammam Salam told An-Nahar daily on Friday.
Lebanon's role in the fight against terrorists is “defensive” rather than offensive for lacking military capabilities, Salam said, noting that the country is part of efforts being exerted by the international community to combat terrorism.
In this regard, PM Salam praised a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on countries to take action to stem the flow of foreign jihadists to Iraq and Syria.
“Lebanon is committed [to the resolution] without taking part in offensive attacks,” Salam told the newspaper.
A senior security source said on Friday that the Lebanese army raided Syrian refugee camps in the border town of Arsal, as part of its plan to "cleanse" the town and the surrounding areas from terrorists.
"58 persons remain in detention, 36 of whom do not carry identification papers and the remaining 22 are suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations," the same source told Al-Joumhouria daily.
"Investigations with the detainees could reveal the location where the kidnapped Lebanese troops are being held as well as the plots of terrorist groups," the source added.