Press Digest for Saturday September 27, 2014

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.

• No progress in case of abducted soldiers – daily

Well-informed sources stressed that all the concerned parties are deploying strong efforts in order to release the abducted soldiers, noting that the negotiations are not conducted by one person from the Lebanese side.

In a statement to an-Nahar daily, the sources said that this case is very complicated since the terrorists have been practicing blackmail, stressing the need to keep the negotiations confidential and away from the media.

In the same context, other ministerial sources denied reports stating that a progress has been reached in the case.

• International Support Group for Lebanon calls for dissociation from Syrian war – daily

An-Nahar newspaper revealed that the International Support Group for Lebanon reiterated its calls for dissociating the country from the Syrian war.

In this regard, the international group recalled the calls of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the Lebanese officials “to engage in a national dialogue and make the necessary compromises to elect a new president as soon as possible.”

• Al-Mashnouq to call for transporting refugees outside of Arsal

Interior and Municipalities Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq told as-Safir daily that he will call for transporting the Syrian refugees, who amount to around 120 thousand refugees, to outside of Arsal, noting that he will present this proposal to the ministers during the cabinet session expected to be held next Thursday.

The minister explained that the interior ministry will proceed with establishing camps for the refugees even if it does not receive the support of all the parties, adding that those who will refuse to transport the refugees will bear the responsibility of their presence in the region and all the repercussions resulting from the events to take place.