Press Digest for Friday March 20, 2015

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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.

Lebanon’s Education Minister tackles file of deported nationals with UAE PM

Lebanon’s Education Minister Elias Bou Saab told Al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday that he called Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, with talks featuring high on the people who were deported from the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed informed Bou Saab that “the decision to deport people doesn’t have a political dimension,” saying “we didn’t issue new lists of people due to be deported”.

“Those (the Lebanese nationals) who were deported are among 5,000 people, from different nationalities, working in the UAE,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding it is a routine measure implemented by his country.

As-Safir: Qatari-led negotiations over Arsal captives made new breakthrough

As-Safir daily reported on Friday that the Qatari-led negotiations between the Lebanese authorities and the Nusra Front in the Arsal captives dossier, have made a new breakthrough.

This comes as the Qatari Foreign Intelligence Officer moved to the Turkish capital where he held several meetings, this week, with Nusra leaders, and discussed the lists of demands the militants had sent, three weeks ago, to the General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

Ankara meetings were held as a new Syrian figure, representing the Qataris, headed to Arsal’s barren range in order to inspect the Lebanese troops who were kidnapped by the Nusra Front and meet with field commanders, most notably the group’s Emir in Qalamoun Abu Malek al-Talli.

Military source says Saudi-funded grant to LAF about to enter into force

A senior military source said on Friday that the $3 billion grant offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Lebanese Armed Forces is about to enter into force.

“The LAF along with the relevant French companies have put the final touches on the military deal and are due to receive the weapons,” the source noted, saying “the delivery [of military equipment] will span over three years”.

The same source also told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that a delegation of French officers, set to arrive to Beirut today, will train the Lebanese army on how to use the weapons, and will stay for a long time in the country as the deal requires a specialized follow-up”.

Sources say people responsible for importing radioactive material are Lebanese

Senior judicial sources informed Al-Hayat newspaper on Friday about investigations conducted by the judiciary regarding the entry of radioactive material into Lebanon.

“The persons involved in the case are Lebanese nationals and will be interrogated,” the sources said.

The judiciary opened an investigation into this case after Speaker Nabih Berri filed a lawsuit against the traders responsible for importing radioactive material into the Lebanese territories.