As the expiry of his tenure looms in the horizon, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji has revealed that he does not have “ambitions” regarding any post.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri held talks Thursday in Ankara with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, his office said.

“During the two meetings, ex-PM Hariri reiterated his solidarity with Turkey, its people and its democracy in the face of the failed coup attempt as well as in the face of the terrorist attacks it is witnessing,” the office said.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc on Thursday warned against “marginalizing” the Free Patriotic Movement and described it as “a main component of the country,” while claiming that there is an “obstruction faction” in the al-Mustaqbal Movement.

The cabinet convened on Thursday where it deliberately tackled only normal issues and stayed away from contentious files in light of the absence of ministers from the Free Patriotic Movement and the Tashnaq party.

“It has been agreed to postpone discussions on controversial issues. Prime Minister Tammam Salam has assured that the productivity of the cabinet signals that the government will continue to shoulder responsibility,” said Information Minister Ramzi Jreij after the meeting.

The Lebanese army staged raids on Thursday in the border towns of al-Qasr and Fiysan in the Hermel district and arrested two fugitives wanted on several arrest warrants, the National News Agency reported.

The raids were carried out at dawn, NNA added.

Head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc Michel Aoun said on Thursday that he understands the contrasting stance of his ally (Hizbullah) as for approving the term extension of military officials including extending the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, As Safir daily reported

Aoun denied any concerns claiming that the “strong strategic coalition that links it to Hizbullah is worrisome.” He even pointed positively to the calls of the Loyalty to the Resistance head MP Mohammed Raad that called for the postponement of the cabinet meeting to pave the way for “fruitful contacts that aim to enforce partnership and evade challenges,” added that daily.

Several contacts away from the media spotlight were made in an attempt to mend the rift that plagued the only operating constitutional institution, as reports said that General Security chief Major Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has intervened in that regard to give momentum to a cabinet meeting set for Thursday and prevent its postponement, al-Joumhouria daily reported.

Ibrahim held a series of extensive meetings on Wednesday with officials, political leaders in addition to PM Tammam Salam in an attempt to find a solution, bring the conflicting points of views together to avoid further impasse, added the daily.

A new waste collection crisis seems to be looming on the horizon after the Sukleen firm announced Wednesday that its trucks would stop transferring trash to the Bourj Hammoud site due to the municipality's decision to block access to the location.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam pledged Wednesday to “continue shouldering the national responsibility during this tough period that the country is going through.”

A Saudi newspaper is reporting that an Egyptian man has been sentenced to six years in prison on charges of spying for Iran, attempting to disturb public order, violating the kingdom's labor laws and communicating with a sorcerer to bewitch his employer.