Press Digest for Monday October 13, 2014

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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.

Extension of parliament's mandate to be approved on October 21- sources

Parliamentary sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Monday that the extension of the parliament's mandate will be approved in a session to be held on the 21st of October.

"The parliament's mandate will be extended for two years and seven months," the sources said, noting that this file will be discussed today between Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri and Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai at the Vatican.

Sources close to the Future bloc said talks will feature high on the presidential entitlement as Cardinal Rai is adamant on the election of a new president.

MP Hariri has been also reiterating that the Future bloc will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections before the election of a new head of state, the same sources added.

Ambassador Fathali says those opposing Iranian grant do not serve Lebanon's interest

Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali said those who are opposing his country's grant to the Lebanese Armed Forces are not serving Lebanon's interest in combating terrorism.

"Iran is ready to provide the Lebanese army with an unconditional grant as a first stage of bilateral cooperation," Fathali said in an interview with Al-Akhbar daily on Monday.

"Iran had already predicted the threat of terrorism committed in Syria and Iraq may soon reach Lebanon," the ambassador added.

PM Salam says kidnappers of Lebanese troops did not clarify their demands

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said he was surprised by claims that there were new developments in the case of the kidnapped Lebanese troops.

Salam was quoted by his guests on Sunday as saying that the Qatari delegate held several rounds of negotiations, noting that they did not yield any results yet, As-Safir newspaper reported on Monday.

"Until now, the kidnappers did not clarify their demands nor did they give us guarantees or goodwill gestures," Salam said.

MP Marouni says Islamic State, Nusra Front transferred Syrian war to Lebanon

"The Islamic State and the Nusra Front have transferred the war [in neighboring Syria] to the Lebanese territories following Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian crisis," Kataeb MP Elie Marouni said on Monday.

"Lebanon can only be saved through commitment to the Baabda Declaration," Marouni told Al-Liwaa daily, noting that the Lebanese army is the protector of the country, not Hezbollah.