Press Digest for Saturday October 11, 2014

4^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.

Kahwagi to head to Washington to discuss US assistance to LAF – source

A military source told al-Joumhouria daily that the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi will kick off later today a one-week visit to Washington, where he will meet with senior US officers and military leaders in order to discuss the cooperation between the Lebanese and US armies.

According to the same source, Kahwagi will also tackle during his meetings the agreement reached between both countries to send weapons to the Lebanese army, as well as Washington’s support in controlling the situation in the region of the Middle East, restoring stability and overcoming the challenges faced along the border regions.

Minister Derbass to kick off Arab trip to deal with issue of Syrian refugees - daily

Al-Mustaqbal daily reported that the Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbass will kick off today an Arab trip, which comes within the framework of dealing with the issue of the Syrian refugees.

The minister’s first stop will be in Kuwait, then the United Arab Emirates and afterwards, he will head to Sharm al-Sheikh in egytp where he will take part in a conference related to the issue.

On another note, Prime Minister Tammam Salam is set to travel to Germany on October 27, accompanied by Minister Derbass and Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, in a bid to enhance European support to ease the burden of the Syrian displacement in Lebanon.

Kidnapped troops held inside booby-trapped house – daily

A security source told Asharq al-Awsat daily that reports stated that the kidnapped Lebanese troops are held inside a booby-trapped house, not inside caves in the mountains.

The source added that the hostages are not receiving enough food, noting that they only eat bread and rice.

Gemayel says ready to cooperate for certain necessities in case mandate extension approved

Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel told an-Nahar daily that hindering the presidential elections by failing to reach quorum is a plan prepared and implemented by of the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah, stressing that such a behavior is considered “a coup against the constitution and a violation of the Lebanese norms and traditions.”

On another note, Gemayel reiterated that the Kataeb party rejects the extension of the Parliament’s mandate, noting however that in case the extension was approved, the Kataeb bloc will not resign, but will cooperate for “certain necessities.”

On the latest operation carried out by Hezbollah in the region Shebaa farms, Gemayel described it "as an adventure that could drag the country into incidents that can be avoided.”