Press Digest for Tuesday October 14, 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.

• Minister Hakim voices concern over Lebanon’s economic situation

Economy and Trade Minister Alain Hakim expressed on Tuesday his concern over the economic situation in Lebanon in light of the current presidential void and the unstable security situation in the country.

Minister Hakim told An-Nahar newspaper that the unstable situation in Lebanon will have negative impacts on the country’s economy, stressing that fragile investments are weakening the labor market which is already facing various pressures due to the increasing presence of Syrian refugees.

• Nasrallah says Hezbollah will defeat terrorist groups

As-Safir newspaper stated on Tuesday that the Secretary General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah assured during a meeting, held with Hezbollah leaders in the Bekaa region, the readiness of the Islamic Resistance to face any Israeli aggression on Lebanon.

The newspaper quoted Sayyed Nasrallah as saying that Hezbollah fighters will be victorious in their battle against takfiri and terrorist groups.

The newspaper also noted that Nasrallah tackled with the officials the latest developments in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq as well as the US-led airstrikes against the Islamic State.

• Negotiations with kidnapped troops are continuous - Minister

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq stated on Tuesday that the dossier of Lebanese troops who were kidnapped during clashes with armed men in the mountainous region of Arsal is on the right track.

In this regard, Minister Mashnouq told As-Safir newspaper that negotiations with abductors are continuous; however, emphasized that concerned officials are dealing with the matter in a confidential manner.

On another note, Minister Mashnouq said Islamic State members are behind the abduction of citizen Toufic Wehbe, stating that they requested a ransom for the latter’s release.

• MP Kabbani says role of Qatari and Turkish envoys not clear

Future Bloc MP Mohammad Kabbani stated on Tuesday that Lebanon’s number one priority is resolving the issue of troops who were kidnapped in Arsal.

In this regard, MP Kabbani told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that various Lebanese factions are exerting their efforts to secure the release of troops.

He also noted that the role of the Qatari and Turkish envoys is not clear, expressing his hope that officials find a solution for the issue of abducted troops.