Press Digest for Sunday December 07, 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 tackle major issues in visit to France

An-Nahar newspaper reported on Sunday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam will head on Wednesday morning to France where he is set to hold important meetings, mainly with French President Francois Hollande.

PM Salam is due to discuss the $3 billion Saudi grant and the need to start enforcing it by providing the Lebanese army with weapons as well as France’s role in urging the international community to implement development projects in Lebanon in order to support the refugees living in the country.

He will also tackle France’s role- notably with the Iranian side- in finding swift solutions to the presidential elections’ issue since “the failure to elect a president poses major threats to the country and may lead to the breakdown of the Lebanese state,” the daily added.

Ministerial sources say negotiations in file of kidnapped troops ‘very difficult’

Ministerial sources said on Sunday that negotiations being held in the Arsal captives dossier are “very difficult,” noting that Lebanon is under a serious threat.

In an interview with An-Nahar newspaper, the sources said the Association of Muslim Scholars has launched an initiative calling for the release of women and children held by the Lebanese authorities and stop intimidating the families of the kidnapped troops, hence releasing the captives.

“Efforts are being exerted in this regard in the wake of the latest threat by the Nusra Front to execute two soldiers if the Lebanese authorities fail to release the detained women and children,” the same sources concluded.

Parliamentary sources say Lebanon heading towards ‘highly complicated phase’

Parliamentary sources in the March 14 forces expressed on Sunday their regret for the execution of martyr Ali al-Bazzal, noting that Lebanon is heading towards a highly complicated phase.

In an interview with An-Nahar daily, the March 14 sources slammed all ministers and deputies as well as journalists and media figures for their statements and opinions about the Arsal captives dossier, adding “a state that has self-respect keeps similar issues confidential in a bid to protect its citizens”.

In this regard, the sources cited the latest effort by Hezbollah to release one of the group’s fighters, saying “the group addressed the issue in total secrecy and got what it wants”.