Press Digest for Wednesday October 08, 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.

PM Salam says terrorists want to shake Lebanon's security and stability

Prime Minister Tammam Salam told al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday that the main goal of the terrorists is not abducting the troops, but shaking Lebanon's stability and security.

Salam urged the families of the kidnapped troops in the border town of Arsal not to permit themselves to be "politically" exploited by rival factions.

According to the daily, Salam reiterated that the Lebanese government alongside foreign mediators are deploying their utmost efforts to ensure the release of the kidnapped soldiers.

Speaker Berri says plan to divide the entire region is ongoing-sources

Visitors of Speaker Nabih Berri quoted him as saying on Wednesday that there is a plan to divide the entire region, adding that such a plan started in Syria by attempting to divide it into four statelets.

On another note, the same sources asserted to al-Joumhouria newspaper that Berri does not support the holding of the parliamentary polls before the presidential elections.

Hollande and Hariri stress necessity of holding presidential elections before parliamentary polls-sources

Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the meeting between French President Francois Hollande and Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri "was genuine and positive."

The same sources noted that both officials tackled the presidential elections, adding that they agreed on the necessity of holding the presidential elections before the parliamentary polls.

According to the daily, Hariri asked Hollande to garner international pressure in order to ensure the holding of the presidential elections in Lebanon.

Jbeil Bishop Michel Aoun says Maronite clergy did not seek protection from Hezbollah

The Maronite Bishop of Jbeil Michel Aoun told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the Maronite clergy did not ask Hezbollah to protect the Christians in Lebanon.

Aoun also stressed that the Lebanese army is the sole protector of all Lebanese citizens, adding that the Maronites will not leave Lebanon.

According to the daily, Aoun noted that major International powers agreed on safeguarding Lebanon from turning into "another Syria or Iraq."