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.
Ministerial sources stressed that Qatar returned to the mediation in the negotiations conducted with al-Nusra Front in the case of the abducted Lebanese soldiers, through a new Syrian mediator.
The same sources told al-Akhbar daily that fugitive singer Fadel Shaker will not be considered in the deal, noting that the list of names sent by al-Nusra Front is under probe.
“The next step is to send Lebanon’s approval and receive a new list,” the sources added.
Security sources confirmed that leaders and members of al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State are still hiding in the northeastern region of Arsal, in a place known as “Wadi al-Khayl,” located around 8 km far from the town.
In a statement to al-Akhbar daily, the sources noted that the gunmen supply themselves with provisions from Syrian border towns, pointing out that some of Arsal residents were attempting to smuggle a truck full of potatoes from the mountainous regions.
According to the information obtained by the daily, the gunmen were also storing large quantities of fuel in case of emergencies, since the Lebanese army has been tightening its control over the border in order to prevent any attempt to smuggle supplies for the insurgents.