Press Digest for Wednesday December 03, 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.

• Ambush on LAF soldiers will hinder release of abducted soldiers

Ministerial sources reported to Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the ambush on Lebanese Armed Forces in Ras Baalbek will have negative repercussions on negotiations aimed at securing the release of abducted soldiers.

The sources also noted that talks will remain halted between the kidnappers, Lebanese negotiators and the authorities until the circumstances of the attack against the LAF troops in Ras Baalbek is revealed.

• Preparations for dialogue between Hezbollah and Future Movement are ongoing

Hezbollah Secretary General's Political Assistant Hajj Hussein Al-Khalil stated on Wednesday that preparatory meetings between Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and Future Movement official Nader Hariri are ongoing, adding that he is still awaiting for House Speaker Nabih Berri to set a date for the first dialogue session.

Al-Khalil told As-Safir newspaper that Hezbollah agreed to holding the sessions without preconditions from either side, emphasizing that Hezbollah officials support all initiatives that aim at maintaining political stability in Lebanon and restoring the work of constitutional institutions.

• Minister Azzi offers condolences to military institution  

Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi stated on Wednesday that the ambush against Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers in Ras Baalbek proves that kidnappers are not seeking a solution for the case of the abducted soldiers.

Minister Azzi denounced via Al-Joumhouria newspaper the terrorist attack that targeted the Lebanese army in Ras Baalbek, offering his condolences to the military institution and calling on Lebanese citizens to support the military institution in a bid to overcome the difficult circumstances overtaking the country.

• Extremist groups blackmailing the government - Minister

Information Minister Ramzi Jreij stated on Wednesday that the government has the right to be informed on the course of negotiations pertaining to the dossier of abducted troops, stressing that Health Minister Wael Abou Faour is not implementing a personal agenda but is trying to help the relatives of the soldiers.

Minister Jreij told Al-Liwaa newspaper that extremist groups are blackmailing the government and the relatives of soldiers who were kidnapped in Arsal; however, emphasized that Lebanese authorities will uphold the prestige of the state.