Press Digest for Wednesday November 26, 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.

• MP Fatfat says dialogue between Future Movement and Hezbollah aims at ending impasse

Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat stated on Wednesday that he is bidding on dialogue sessions between Hezbollah and the Future movement to save the country from its current stalemate and impasse, and to discuss the dossier of the parliamentary elections.

In this context, Fatfat expressed via Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper his hope that Hezbollah officials adhere to results of dialogue sessions, emphasizing that the issue of presidential elections is one of the most important dossiers that will be discussed with Hezbollah.

• Contradicting information pertaining to location of Shady Al-Mawlawi

A Palestinian official stated on Wednesday that fugitive Chadi Al-Mawlawi along with his wife, a supporter of Sheikh Ahmad Assir, and 2 others entered into the Ain El-Helweh Refugee Camp and are currently in the Taamir region.

In this regard, sources at the refugee camp told Al-Akhbar newspaper that officials are trying to monitor Al-Mawlawi via cameras located inside the camp.

Meanwhile, other Palestinian sources denied the presence of Al-Mawlawi inside the refugee camp, stressing that the said camp will never be a refuge for fugitives. 

• Lebanese authorities accepted the demands of kidnappers

An-Nahar newspaper stated on Wednesday that Lebanese authorities accepted the demands of kidnappers of Lebanese troops, which stipulate the release of 5 inmates from the Roumieh prison and 50 from Syria in exchange for each abducted soldier.

The newspaper noted that Lebanese officials are still awaiting the list of names that will be sent by the abductors, adding that General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim will report to Prime Minister Tammam Salam this afternoon the stance of the Syrian regime regarding the release of members from the Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front to secure the release of the Lebanese troops.

• Syria's Mouallem, March 8 figures gather for dinner at Syrian Embassy

Al-Akhbar newspaper stated on Wednesday that a dinner banquet was held on Tuesday at the Syrian Embassy in Yarzeh.

The newspaper noted that Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem along with members from the March 8 coalition attended the dinner.

In this regard, Al-Akhbar newspaper said that Minister Mouallem emphasized that his country is currently studying the Russian ideas pertaining to dialogue; however, stressed that Syria will not be dragged towards any initiative that works against its benefits.