Press Digest for Monday November 03, 2014

4^min

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 Harb says cabinet open to 'serious' negotiations to settle Arsal captives dossier

Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb told An-Nahar daily on Monday that the Lebanese cabinet is open to holding serious negotiations in a bid to settle the "humanitarian" case of the troops who were kidnapped in Arsal back in August.

"Negotiations should be held as per the law," Harb said, stressing the need to expedite the trials (of Islamist prisoners) and take into account the humanitarian aspects of the case.

"It is unacceptable to ask the cabinet to violate the law," he said, adding "we are responsible for the kidnapped soldiers and must save them".

Azzi says Lebanese state should deal with file of kidnapped troops as per the law

"Reaching a swap deal to release the kidnapped Lebanese troops is tantamount to a blackmail and the subjugation of the state," Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi said on Monday.

"Swapping the Arsal captives with terrorists sentenced to death paves the way for a new wave of bomb attacks in Lebanon," Azzi told An-Nahar newspaper.

"We do not oppose the swapping concept from an ideological prism but the Lebanese state should hold negotiations and deal with the humanitarian file as per the law," he concluded.

Al-Akhbar newspaper apologizes to ISF member over false claims

Al-Akhbar newspaper apologized on Monday to Dib Al-Lahhib, a member of the Internal Security Forces and a bodyguard of Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, voicing its readiness to assume any legal responsibility resulting from the article the daily published on Saturday.

The newspaper released on Saturday an article entitled "the army arrests a bodyguard of Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi: he was transferring funds to the kidnappers of Lebanese troops".

The daily also claimed that the Lebanese Armed Forces arrested Dib Al-Lahhib while transferring the amount of 280 thousand dollars to the abductors in Arsal's barren range.

Future bloc MP Hobeich says Sunni Muslims support LAF, reject terrorism

Future bloc MP Hadi Hobeich told Al-Liwaa newspaper on Monday that Sunni Muslims support the Lebanese Armed Forces, not terrorism and extremism.

"I call on the Nusra Front not to transfer its battle from Syria to Lebanon since it compromises he security of all the Lebanese people," MP Hobeich said.

He added that Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian war has fueled turmoil in Lebanon, urging the group to ease tension by withdrawing its fighters from Syria.