Press Digest for Thursday October 30, 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.

• UN’s Plumbly says settlement of Syrian refugees “out of question”

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly denied reports stating that international powers have exerted pressure on Lebanon concerning the settlement of Syrian refugees.

In a statement to as-Safir newspaper, Plumbly explained that the proposal presented regarding the issue of the Syrian refugees aims at encouraging the states that are participating in the Berlin conference to absorb a larger number of refugees who are currently in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.

• Lebanese Forces to attend session dedicated to extend parliament’s mandate – daily

Sources from the Lebanese Forces told al-Akhbar daily that the party is set to attend the session dedicated to extend the mandate of the Parliament, but will abstain from voting.

However, other parliamentary sources noted that “the Lebanese Forces prefer holding the parliamentary elections over the extension of the council’s term, but when the choice lies between vacuum and extension, the party will choose the latter.”   

• Qatari envoy to bring IS and al-Nusra front’s final demands – daily

Sources following up on the negotiations held with the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front told al-Mustaqbal daily that the Qatari envoy is currently in Lebanon, where he is conducting a new round of negotiations with the abductors of the Lebanese troops in Arsal.

The sources revealed that the envoy will continue negotiations with the kidnappers, adding that he is expected to bring their final demands soon.