The army on Monday retaliated to shelling from the Islamic State group on the border with Syria after destroying a post for al-Nusra Front in the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, state-run National News Agency reported.

Two operations two smuggle more than 800,000 Captagon narcotic pills to Gulf countries have been smuggled in Lebanon in recent days, the Internal Security Forces said on Monday.

The Kataeb Party announced Monday that the consecutive national dialogue sessions that will kick off Tuesday must seek to protect Lebanon from “political, economic and security collapse.”

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil warned Monday that more FPM members might be suspended if they violate the movement's bylaws, three days after the expulsion of four prominent FPM officials.

The Lebanese army carried out raids in Dar al-Wasaa neighborhood in the Bekaa region where one person was reportedly wounded, the National News Agency said on Monday.

One man was wounded in raids that the army carried out early Monday on the houses of fugitives from the Jafaar family in Dar al-Wasaa.

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji marked Lebanon's Army Day Monday and reassured that efforts to free the soldiers abducted by the Islamic State group will continue, as he renewed oath to defend Lebanon and protect its borders and wealth, the National News Agency reported.

“On your behalf, I renew our oath to defend Lebanon and protect its borders and wealth. I hereby vow before the families of your hero fellows who were taken hostage by terrorist groups that we shall pursue our endeavors with persistence to uncover their destiny and liberate them to ensure their safe return back to their loved ones and to the institution they belong to,” said Qahwaji in his Order of the Day.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri refused to participate personally in the national dialogue sessions with Hizbullah, and assured that he would change his mind if Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah engaged personally in the dialogue as well, al-Akhbar daily reported on Monday.

“Speaker Nabih Berri has suggested that Hariri raises the representation levels of the Mustaqbal bloc at the dialogue table by attending the sessions in person,” reported the daily.

Chairman of Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Alaeddin Boroujerdi began an official visit to Lebanon on Monday during which he is expected to hold talks with top officials.

During his two-day visit Boroujerdi is expected to hold meetings with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc, Palestinian factions and the Muslim Scholars Committee.

A Palestinian terror suspect was arrested by the Lebanese army on Sunday near the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon, state-run National News Agency reported.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam vowed Sunday that the Lebanese state will “spare no effort” to secure the release of nine troops and policemen who are being held hostage by the Islamic State group.