Press Digest for Wednesday January 28, 2014

3^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.

Minister of Interior Machnouq says new security measures to be adopted across Lebanon

Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that Hezbollah and the Future Movement tackled during the fourth round of dialogue the security situation in the country.

Machnouq added that both sides agreed on several steps that will be adopted within one week across Lebanon except for the Beirut southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) and South Lebanon.

Islamic State will soon declare its Emirate in Lebanon, to appoint fugitive cleric Assir as Emir-sources

Security sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the Islamic State will soon declare its Emirate in Lebanon, adding that the group will appoint the fugitive hard-line cleric Ahmad Assir as its Emir.

The same sources added that the Islamic State started to plot military operations in Lebanon, noting that it asked support from North Syria to achieve these goals.

Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims at breaking the ice -sources

Sources close to Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that his visit to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences on the death of king Abdullah aims at breaking the ice between the two sides.

The same sources added that Aoun and the accompanying delegation received a warm reception from the Saudi leadership.

According to the daily, the sources noted that Aoun met during his short visit to Saudi Arabia with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and discussed with him local developments.

Families of Arsal abducted soldiers say agreement nears in negotiations to release their loved ones

Families of the Arsal abducted soldiers told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Wednesday that an agreement is nearing in the negotiations to release their loved ones.

The families noted that the negotiators and the abductors agreed on releasing one abducted soldier in exchange of three inmates in the Roumieh prison alongside the female prisoners in Syria.

According to the daily, the relatives of the abducted soldiers asserted that the Syrian authorities agreed on releasing the female prisoners.