Press Digest for Monday December 08, 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.

Saja al-Douleimy, Alaa al-Akili referred to Lebanon’s General Security

Well-informed sources said on Monday that Alaa al-Akili, the wife of Abu Ali al-Chichani- a commander of the Islamic State militant group- was referred to the Lebanese General Security as efforts are being exerted to halt the execution of the remaining Arsal captives.

“Alaa’s file will be addressed on the basis of illegal residence and forgery of identification papers,” the sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper.

“A solution is mulled for the case of Saja al-Douleimy, the ex-wife of the Islamic State group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,” the same sources added.

PM Salam abstains from making statements on Arsal captives dossier

As-Safir newspaper reported on Monday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who received his guests yesterday, was committed to absolute silence on developments regarding the Arsal captives dossier.

“PM Salam did not make any statement on the killing of Internal Security Forces member, martyr Ali al-Bazzal, nor did he touch on the meeting of the ministerial crisis cell that convened at his residence on Saturday,” the daily said.

It added that Salam is committed to avoiding any leaked information about the file of kidnapped Lebanese troops in order to prevent further complications to the case.

PSP leader MP Jumblatt calls for swapping Arsal hostages with detainees

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt stressed the need to expedite the exchange of kidnapped Lebanese troops with a number of detainees in the framework of a swap deal that includes Lebanese and non-Lebanese inmates at the Roumieh prison.

In an interview with As-Safir daily, MP Jumblatt urged the concerned officials to put an end to political bidding, noting that the ministerial crisis cell is in a state of disorder.

“I have remained silent thus far, but at the right time I will reveal everything I know if the current situation does not change,” he warned.

Hezbollah-Future dialogue to be held next year -sources

Sources with knowledge of the dialogue session that is set to be held between the Future Movement and Hezbollah told An-Nahar daily on Monday that dialogue will kick off in the first month of 2015.

“Future Movement adviser Nader Hariri went to the United States on a working visit and will not return before the holiday season,” the sources added.