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.
- Eight hostages in Syria to
be released before Eid al-Adha
Sources told
An-Nahar Daily
that negotiations in the case of the Lebanese hostages in Syria are taking a
positive path, where it is expected that 8 out of the remaining 9 detainees would be released before Eid al-Adha [Friday 26 October].
The sources added that the
main issue in the case is hostage Abbas Choueib who is classified as a top
official in Hezbollah, and to be released, direct negotiations with Hezbollah
will have to take place. However, the Hezbollah leadership is refusing to enter
direct discussions with the kidnappers; instead they are demanding to proceed
through mediators.
The Hezbollah drone that infiltrated the Negev last week beamed back live
images of secret Israeli military bases, the Sunday Times reported.
According to the report, the drone was airborne for three hours before being
intercepted by an F-16I jet. It is believed to have transmitted pictures of
preparations for Israel's joint military exercises with the US, as well as
ballistic missile sites, airfields and, perhaps, the nuclear reactor in Dimona, according to the Sunday Times.
The report also stated the interception of the drone was
"botched" when the first missile fired by the Israeli jet missed. The
aircraft had traveled 200 miles, the program claimed.
- Ashton visits Lebanon to inspect
Syrian refugees’ situation
Al-Hayat Daily quoted European diplomatic sources as
reporting that the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton will visit Lebanon on October 23.
Ashton is expected to inspect the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon
and to look into the efforts deployed by the Lebanese government in cooperation
with Arab and international organizations in order to improve their living and
health conditions with the winter season drawing near.
The newspaper added that Ashton is expected to make a tour
on the Syrian refugees in Bekaa and the North accompanied by the Minister of
Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour.
Al-Akhbar Daily reported
that Roumieh prison’s trouble began on the third floor of the “Bloc B”, which
is composed of three floors, two of which are religiously mixed, while the
third is for Fatah al-Islam detainees who form a “strike force”, leading the prison’s
administration to avoid them.
In this context, one of the
Islamist prisoners told the daily that the privacy given to Fatah al-Islam
prisoners is not imposed; however it has been granted by permission. He added
that a number of political security officials were satisfied with their
behavior.
The newspaper noted that the
case does not end here, as smartphones and laptops were found in the possession of
the Islamist prisoners, especially Fatah al-Islam members who have been able to
publish statements in Jihadist forums and to give orders to Fatah al-Islam extremists
groups though the internet.
Meanwhile, it has been said that while Interior
Minister Marwan Charbel was attempting to undermine the importance of the three
fugitives, the information provided by a number of Fatah al-Islam detainees
confirm that two of the fugitives are among the most prominent leaders of the “radical
organization”, while the third is just a militant.
- Deputies smoke inside
offices despite non-smoking law
Al-Akhbar Daily reported
that despite passing a law banning the people from smoking in closed public
places and public institutions, the members of Parliament are still insisting
on smoking inside their offices in the building near Parliament.
The non-smoking legislation has
already been the target of much criticism – from those who believe that the
government should focus on more critical matters to others who warn that the
ban will hurt the hospitality sector and the country’s economy.