Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi confirmed that the armed ambush of two ISF officers in the Bekaa Valley on Friday was made by collaborators of a member of the group that kidnapped the seven Estonian tourists in March.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria daily published Saturday, Rifi said Friday’s confrontation between the ISF Intelligence Branch patrol and the members of the kidnapping gang at a bridge that connects Shtaura to Jlala was the second in less than a week.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun slammed on Tuesday Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s recent statements, stressing that he is not targeting the Sunni sect, but the premier himself over his violation.

He said after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “Your sectarian bias won’t prevent us from criticizing you.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s government is seeking to launch a “productive workshop” to address the people’s concerns, as well as address a new batch of administrative appointments.

The premier’s sources told the daily al-Liwaa Saturday that cabinet has the right to take any decision regarding an appointment of an official or his dismissal from his post.

A decree on the formation of the Internal Security forces command council was approved by President Michel Suleiman, PM Najib Miqati, Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Tuesday.

An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that the selected officers who were tasked to lead the units were already filling the same posts as caretakers.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday that the security situation in Lebanon is “very good”, saying that the real danger lies in the divisions among the people.

He told Voice of Lebanon radio: “The Lebanese should be persuaded that Lebanon is passing through a blissful phase, but politics is affecting the security situation.”

Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi stressed on Tuesday that a comprehensive plan to tackle the prison file in Lebanon is necessary in order to resolve pending issues in this matter.

He said: “The current situation must not continue.”

Informed sources have denied that Syria has sent to Lebanon for the second time arrest warrants against 33 Lebanese personalities in the lawsuit filed by former head of Lebanon’s General Security Department Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed.

The sources told al-Mustaqbal daily published Tuesday that Syria only sent a detailed document on the identities of the 33 figures. They include judges, security officers, politicians, journalists and other Lebanese, Arab and foreign officials and individuals.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that Internal Security Force chief Major General Ashraf Rifi’s several violations “make him ineligible to remain in his position in office.”

He said after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “His statement that he was born out of the March 14 camp’s womb is one of his violations because this is not part of the ISF law.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati and National Struggle Front ministers are eager on maintaining Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi and General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza in their positions, revealed ministerial sources to the daily Al-Liwaa in remarks published on Sunday.

They explained that Mirza is expected to play a major role in Lebanon in the upcoming phase in the country because of his ties with Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Friday said “the Mustaqbal Movement and any political party will be forbidden from interfering in the Internal Security Forces’ affairs.”

In an interview with Hizbullah’s Al-Manar television, Charbel added that he will not allow ISF Intelligence Bureau chief Col. Wissam al-Hassan to carry on with playing a “political role.”