Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi expressed delight over the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal Movement, which kicked off two days ago in Ain al-Tineh.

“I am without any doubt relieved for the dialogue between the two parties,” Jumblat said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper on Thursday.

In a squalid camp in eastern Lebanon, a school in a tent with a chalkboard and brightly colored desks offers children who fled Syria's war a chance of an education.

Thousands of child refugees are studying at dozens of makeshift schools across Lebanon, including 11-year-old Faruq Salkhadi, who dreams of becoming a doctor.

Hizbullah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem welcomed on Wednesday the dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, hoping that it will lead to solutions to pending problems.

He said: “Dialogue prepares the ground for a joint battle against terrorism that has become a threat to all.”

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced on Wednesday his satisfaction with the dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah that was held on Tuesday.

He hoped that the talks would be expanded to include other forces.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour reiterated on Wednesday his determination to continue the food safety campaign throughout Lebanon, while focusing on the latest discoveries at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.

He said during a press conference before food safety inspectors: “The food safety file at the airport has been referred to the General Prosecution.”

The Lebanese army announced on Wednesday the arrest of two Lebanese for transferring equipment to the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal.

They were identified as Hussein Deeb al-Fleiti and Abdullah Mohammed Amoun, said the military statement.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed hope on Wednesday that the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement would contribute to the election of a new head of state.

Following talks with Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, Salam said he had high hopes that talks between the rivals would create some kind of “reassurance” for the Lebanese people.

The Syrian navy opened fire on Wednesday at Lebanese fishing boats off the coast of the northern Lebanese town of al-Arida, detaining three fishermen, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The news agency said that a fishing boat owned by Fadi H., who hails from al-Arida, was damaged but no casualties were reported.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat slammed on Wednesday the negligence and decay at state facilities, vowing that the food safety campaign will continue.

“The scandal that hit food storage areas at the Rafik Hariri International Airport shows that decay and negligence is affecting all state facilities,” Jumblat said a day after his aide, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, lashed out at the “barn” and “death chambers for the citizens' health” at the facility.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called in his Christmas message on Wednesday for the election of a wise head of state who prioritizes the nation's interest and hoped that Lebanon would have competent politicians.

Al-Rahi slammed the lack of loyalty to the nation that led to the violation of the constitution and the failure to elect a president.