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.
Well informed sources told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that more than 400 men hailing from north Lebanon joined terrorist organizations.
The same sources added that the men usually leave their homes and families in total secrecy, only to inform their families later on that they joined these terrorist groups.
According to the daily, several young men left Lebanon to Iraq in the past two weeks to fight alongside the Islamic State.
The sources concluded by saying the recruitment is usually carried out via the Internet and social media platforms.
Kataeb party leader Amine Gemayel told al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday that the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces party are "ridiculously dealing with the presidential vacuum."
Gemayel added that the ongoing dialogue between the two parties is “covering the crisis.”
Asked about the work mechanism of the cabinet amid the presidential vacuum, Gemayel stressed the need to solve the Lebanese people’s daily issues, adding that his party is keen on reactivating the work of the government.
Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the Lebanese security apparatuses are searching for a young Christian man believed to have been recruited by extremist groups.
The same sources added that the man (28) code name; “Jacques”, hails from a prestigious Orthodox family in the northern city of Tripoli.
According to the daily, Jacques left the country and headed to Turkey, then to Syria and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, adding that the Lebanese army is carrying out interrogations with his brothers.
He reportedly visited Turkey twice, where he underwent military training.
The sources voiced concerns that the terrorist groups would assign "Jacques" to carry out terrorist operations in Lebanon, taking advantage of his Christian identity to keep him out of suspicions.
Visitors of Prime Minister Tammam Salam quoted him as saying on Thursday that some ministers are paralyzing the work of the cabinet over limited and personal gains.
As for the date of the next cabinet session, the sources told An-Nahar newspaper that Salam is carrying out contacts in this regard, adding that the government’s top priority is to solve the Lebanese people’s daily issues.
Similarly, some sources told al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday that Salam will call for a session next Thursday.
Al-Akhbar newspaper said on Thursday that the secret mediator in the case of Arsal abducted soldiers died while in the custody of the Lebanese security agency.
The newspaper added that Mustapha Behlok, who has been playing the role of mediator between the Islamic State and the Lebanese state, was detained recently on the Wadi Hmeid checkpoint in the northeastern border town of Arsal.
According to the daily, military sources said that he died from a heart attack on his way to investigation, ruling out reports stating that officers tortured him to death.