Press Digest for Wednesday October 01, 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.

• MP Fatfat says stance of former PM Hariri on elections clear

Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat stated on Wednesday that governmental consensus over the dossier of Lebanese troops who were kidnapped during clashes in Arsal should be reached, quoting Prime Minister Tammam Salam as saying that the cabinet is exerting its efforts to secure the release of the soldiers. 

MP Fatfat told the Kuwaiti newspaper As-Seyassah that the stance of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and that of the Future Bloc on the parliamentary elections are both clear, emphasizing that Future Bloc MPs will not run for the upcoming parliamentary elections unless the presidential deadlock is resolved.

• PM Salam says cabinet holding confidential negotiations to release LAF troops

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stated on Wednesday that negotiations pertaining to the release of Lebanese troops are on the right track.

Salam told An-Nahar newspaper “it is shameful that relatives of the troops are launching campaigns against the cabinet at a time when the Lebanese government is holding confidential negotiations to secure the release of abducted troops.”

“Turkish and Qatari authorities have also vowed to exert their efforts to release the troops,” PM Salam said.

• MP Jumblatt: Former ISF officials should bear the responsibility of the situation at the Roumieh prison
  

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt called on Wednesday for brokering a swift exchange deal between kidnapped troops and Islamist inmates at the Roumieh prison, stressing that this issue will be discussed during the upcoming cabinet session scheduled for Thursday.

MP Jumblatt told An-Nahar newspaper that former Internal Security Forces officials should bear the responsibility of the deteriorating situation at the said prison.

On another note, MP Jumblatt said prolonging parliament’s mandate is no longer a choice, but has become a reality, voicing his support to the extension of deputies’ mandates until the election of a new president.

He also emphasized that he will discuss this matter with House Speaker Nabih Berri.

• Minister Bassil says LAF troops able to control situation in Arsal

Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil stated on Wednesday that Lebanon will not ask any international coalition to strike Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front fighters in the northeastern border town of Arsal, stressing that Lebanese Armed Forces have the required capabilities to control the situation.  

On another note, Minister Bassil praised via As-Safir newspaper the Iranian military grant to Lebanon, pointing out that Lebanese officials will always welcome grants that are not linked to any political conditions.