Press Digest for Tuesday October 28, 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.

PM Salam from Germany says crackdown on terrorism will continue

Prime Minister Tammam Salam told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday the crackdown on terrorism will continue "as long as it will take to uproot terrorism."

Salam's comments were made during his official visit to Germany whereby he asserted that the Lebanese army and the security apparatuses are advancing in their military operation.

He also stressed that the Lebanese people proved that they don't provide a hospitable environment for terrorism.

Speaker Berri : Lebanese army "is one of the strongest armies in the region but lacks weapons and ammunition"

Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Tuesday the efforts made by the Lebanese Armed Forces to uproot the terrorists from the northern city of Tripoli and Akkar "without making any compromises or holding negotiations."

Berri told As-Safir newspaper that the Lebanese army "is one of the strongest armies in the region," adding however that it only lacks adequate weapons and ammunition.

Qatari mediator to arrive to Beirut, to hold direct negotiations with abductors of Arsal troops

Sources told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Tuesday that the Qatari mediator in the file of the Arsal abducted soldiers will arrive today (Tuesday) to Beirut, dispatched by the Qatari authorities.

The same sources added that the mediator will head to Arsal in the next few hours to hold direct negotiations with the abductors.

According to the daily, the Qatari mediator's visit was scheduled to take place last week, but technical problems postponed the visit.

Northern city of Tripoli free of armed men for the first time-sources

A military source told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday that the northern city of Tripoli has for the first time become free of armed men.

The same source added that the Lebanese army arrested around 164 suspects in the Tripoli and Bhannine regions, noting that interrogations are ongoing to reveal the extent of their involvement in the fighting.

According to the daily, the source noted that terrorists Chadi al-Mawlawi, Ousama Mansour and Khaled Hoblos fled Tripoli, adding that the army will continue pursuing them.

German envoy Clages denies Germany urged Lebanon to sign the 1951 Geneva Convention on status of refugees

German ambassador to Lebanon Christian Clages told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday that the International Support Group for Lebanon conference that will be held today (Tuesday) in Berlin will discuss the challenges facing Lebanon and means to further aid the Lebanese army.

Clages also denied to the newspaper that Germany urged Lebanon to ink the 1951 Geneva Convention on the status of refugees.