The following are a selection of stories from Lebanese newspapers that may be of interest to Daily Star readers. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
Al-Akhbar
Hostage negotiations require some time
Well-informed sources told Al-Akhbar that negotiations for the release of the soldiers held captive by Islamist militants may require more time, since the captors do not belong to one party.
They said three Army soldiers and 17 policemen are held by the Nusra Front which is easier to negotiate with.
The remaining hostages – between seven or eight – are held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), which is difficult to negotiate with and requires additional time.
Al-Joumhouria
Future rules out Hariri-Nasrallah meeting
Future Movement sources ruled out any meeting between former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah.
The sources blamed Hezbollah for the current chaotic situation along the border.
Hezbollah, the sources added, want the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese people to continue to bear the consequences of the Syria crisis, which Hezbollah is part of.
An-Nahar
Machnouk: Syrian refugees outright rejected by Syrian regime
Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said Prime Minister Tammam Salam will convene Monday the ministerial committee in charge of following up on the Syrian refugees crisis.
Machnouk said the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are divided into four categories: those who face prosecution in Syria and Lebanon refuses to deport; some with acceptable identification documents; some who have entered Lebanon illegally with General Security securing the settlement of such refugees; and finally those with no identification cards and cannot be returned to Syria.
“The Syrian regime outright rejects the return of any refugees whatever their legal status,” Machnouk said.
As-Safir
Kahwagi insists on the return of captured soldiers whatever the cost
Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi stressed that he “insists on the return of the captives whatever the cost.”
"The Army saved Lebanon from killer [jihadists] by the Arsal battle,” Kahwagi told As-Safir. “Had the Army lost [the battle], they [jihadists] would have entered Akkar; and from there they would have reached the sea and declared their own state."
Kahwagi said priority goes to the “safe” handover of the captured soldiers “no matter how dearly this would cost us.”
“This issue cannot be postponed,” he said, adding that he has informed the political leaderships of his decision.