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.
Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek Chaar said the situation in Tripoli is “safe and reassuring,” noting that the twin suicide attack that rocked the northern city was orchestrated by foreign powers.
“Residents of the North in general and Tripoli in particular are not behind the double suicide bombing. Therefore, the Jabal Mohsen residents didn’t have any reaction whatsoever against them,” Chaar said.
In an interview with Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday, Mufti Chaar also called for a dialogue between Sunnis and Shi'ites, urging the parties to the dialogue to reach common grounds in order to serve the country’s interests.
“A progress has been achieved in the negotiations aiming to secure the release of the Lebanese troops who were kidnapped in the border town of Arsal back in August,” sources told An-Nahar daily on Monday.
“Efforts are exerted by Arsal’s deputy mayor Ahmad al-Fliti and Sheikh Mustafa al-Hujeiri - dubbed ‘Abu Takiyeh’ - who are working in total secrecy,” the sources said.
“A proposal to settle the Arsal captives dossier has been transferred to the Lebanese side,” the same sources noted, saying “the suggestion was approved by the abductors and the government is moving towards accepting it”.
Deputy Speaker Farid Makari said on Monday that the Sunni-Shi’ite dialogue between the Future Movement and Hezbollah is focusing on the need to ease sectarian tension, noting that some progress has been achieved in this regard.
In an interview with Al-Joumhouria newspaper, Makari also said both parties have agreed that the presidential file shall be one of the items on the dialogue’s agenda.
Nonetheless, the deputy Speaker ruled out that they would be able to reach a final agreement over the presidential elections.
Russian ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin lauded the measures that have been taken by the Lebanese authorities to stem the flow of terrorists into the country, praising the stances of the government, the army and the security apparatuses in this regard.
In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, the ambassador hailed the dialogue being held between Hezbollah and the Future Movement “which enhances the country’s social cohesion”.
He added that the Lebanese political system could be “immunized” through the election of a new president, stressing the need to uphold dialogue among Christians.