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.
Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Monday that Lebanese army units deployed in the northeastern border town of Arsal continued to implement tight security measures amid reports that a new attack may take place.
"This comes as a result of a change in the Islamic State leadership and a state of despair among gunmen who have failed to open a passage toward al-Zabadani, Machari' al-Qaa and the Syrian side as their food supplies are dwindling," the daily said.
Sources also told the newspaper that a man dubbed al-Namroud, who hails from Syria's al-Qusair, is now the leader of the Islamic State in Arsal's barren range.
Sources close to Hezbollah said the group is not disrupting the security plan that has been implemented across several Lebanese regions, noting that the Shi'ite movement does not grant "partisan immunity" to any kidnappers, murderers, thieves or drug traffickers.
"The army is conducting raids in Brital, Hawrtaala, al-Nabi Sheet and Hay al-Sharawina," the sources told As-Safir daily, saying "the work of the military institution hasn't been obstructed by Hezbollah".
The same sources also relayed a sense of awe expressed by the group in regard to the "biased" speech delivered by Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq during a memorial service held for slain Intelligence Bureau chief, Major General Wissam al-Hasan, who was killed in a car bomb in 2012.
Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq said on Monday that the speech he delivered during a memorial service held for slain Intelligence Bureau chief, Major General Wissam al-Hasan, was inevitable.
In an interview with Al-Akhbar newspaper, Mashnouq said he had relayed his statements to several political leaderships and all heads of security apparatuses, noting that he did not receive a positive reaction.
The minister also said his statements came after the security plan was disrupted for political reasons, adding that "Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army Intelligence have failed to fulfill their duties, mainly in the Northern Bekaa".
"17 kidnappings for ransom took place in the Northern Bekaa since the beginning of 2014," he concluded.
Well informed sources told Al-Joumhouria daily on Monday that the Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri has held, in the last few hours, a series of contacts to address urgent issues.
"Hariri is braced for returning to Beirut to follow up on the ongoing preparations for the extension of the parliament's mandate," the sources said.