Press Digest for Friday October 31, 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.

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim says he is offended, threatens to quit role in case of abducted soldiers - sources

Sources close to the Director General of General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim stressed that the latter is offended by the disturbance carried out in the case of the abducted soldiers, mainly by the statements of the hostages’ families.

The sources told an-Nahar daily that Maj. Gen. Ibrahim threatened to quit his role in the case, should the disturbance, which he said is intentional, continues.

In this regard, the sources noted that Ibrahim informed the concerned authorities of his decision, calling for protecting the course of the negotiations.

Minister Derbass: Berlin trip “very successful,” Lebanese demands approved

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass stressed that his visit to Berlin was “very successful,” adding that the Arab States have expressed understanding and solidarity with Lebanon’s situation.

In a statement to al-Joumhouria daily, Derbass said that the list of demands presented by the Lebanese cabinet has been approved, noting that “the vitality of the Lebanese government will lead to positive results.”

On another note, the minister said that the donor countries will not only send donations to the Syrian refugees, but also to the hosting community, pointing out that “the Lebanese people also have responsibilities in this regard.”

Former PM Hariri was willing to resign – source

A political source revealed that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri strongly supports the extension of the Parliament’s mandate, stressing that he is willing to “do anything to reach this goal.”

The source told as-Safir daily that Hariri confirmed that the stance of the Future Movement is decisive and firm regarding the boycott of the parliamentary elections.

“If the parliamentary elections were to be held, let them be held without the participation of the Sunnis,” the source quoted Hariri as saying.

However, the same source revealed that Hariri was willing to resign from parliament, but changed his mind at the last minute, since he realized that his resignation will have negative repercussions.

Two channels of negotiations between Lebanese State and kidnappers - daily

Security and political sources stressed that food and medical assistance were granted access to Arsal on Thursday, noting that “they are set to be delivered exclusively to the Syrian refugees.”

However, well-informed sources revealed that “these supplies will be infiltrated to the kidnappers located in the mountainous regions of Arsal,” adding that over the past few weeks, large amounts of money were delivered to the terrorist groups, with conflicting reports emerging over their source.

“Some say Qatar sent the funds, while others say Lebanese parties provided the money as part of a ransom paid to prevent the kidnappers from executing one of the hostages,” the sources revealed.

In this regard, al-Akhbar daily reported that there are two channels of negotiations between the Lebanese state and the abductors, one of them led by Major General Abbas Ibrahim, and the other led by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour.