Press Digest for Monday November 17, 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.

PM Salam to hold talks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi over Syrian refugee crisis

Well-informed sources told Al-Liwaa newspaper on Monday that talks will be held between Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan as well as other officials in Abu Dhabi.

UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum will also participate in the deliberations that will focus on the file of Syrian refugees and the burden shouldered by Lebanon, a tiny country hosting more than a million refugee.

Talks will also discuss the possibility of providing assistance in this regard, the same sources added.

Lebanese army to proceed with raid operations in the Bekaa -sources

Military sources told As-Safir daily on Monday that raids and prosecutions carried out by the Lebanese army in the Bekaa region are ongoing until all fugitives are arrested and security is fully maintained.

"It is an open-ended operation," the sources said, adding "the political forces are fully responsive with the security plan".

"Those who committed a crime in Deir al-Ahmar are identified and the army will continue to chase them down until they are arrested," the same sources said.

Hezbollah says fully supports LAF measures in the Bekaa

Well-informed sources reported that the military operation carried out by the Lebanese army in the Bekaa will continue with strong momentum and with the support of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

"No region will be closed before the security plan which aims to end kidnappings and theft operations," the sources told As-Safir newspaper on Monday.

The daily also said Hezbollah has briefed all the concerned authorities that it fully supports the measures being implemented by the army, adding "the Dahieh region, the South and the Bekaa are all supportive of the military institution".

Al-Akhbar: Decision to kill kidnapped troops in the hands of IS central command

Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Monday that "the decision to slaughter kidnapped troops is now directly linked to the Islamic State's central command" after being in the hands of the IS militant group in Syria's Qalamoun.

"This comes after indictments and judicial decisions were issued against Islamist prisoners, including Saudi detainees," according to sources close to the Islamic State.

"Meanwhile, nearly 70 inmates at the Roumieh Central Prison have pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State," sources added.