The Phalange Party criticized on Monday the government’s performance, saying that the officials are acting as if the country does not have its daily challenges and problems.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “The officials are on an unjustified political holiday, cabinet sessions are pointless, parliament has been obstructed, and vacuum has taken over the administrations.”

The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc condemned on Monday the statements that were recently issued against the Lebanese army, warning that such attacks may serve the goals of Lebanon’s enemies.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting headed by MP Mohammed Raad: “The attack is part of a suspicious agenda that has been, for a while, seeking to bind Lebanon’s equation of strength.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun slammed on Monday campaigns against the Lebanese army, saying that attacking it is an assault against the country.

He said after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “Parliament should assume its responsibilities because one of its members crossed his limits when he targeted the army.”

Dozens of Syrian refugees, including one suffering gunshot wounds, poured into northern Lebanon on Monday, as shooting was heard and smoke billowed across the border.

"Some 12 families have crossed into Lebanon from the border town of Hitt," said Mohammed al-Khatib, a van driver who had been transferring the refugees from the crossing into the northern Lebanese areas of Akroum and Wadi Khaled.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat congratulated on Monday all officials, clergymen, and citizens on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

On this note, he saluted the families of resistance fighters whose sons were martyred in the July 2006 war.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati commended on Monday the army for its efforts in maintaining security in Lebanon, stressing that all sides should protect the army and security forces from any meddling.

He said after holding talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji: “The military institution is above the political disputes and everyone should address it based on that position.”

Austria will send 160 peacekeeping troops to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon starting in November, the defense ministry announced Monday.

The troops were due to help with supply logistics for the UNIFIL mission.

Lebanese security forces have found some clues on who stands behind the kidnapping of two Syrian nationals last week although high-ranking security sources have ruled out any political motive behind their abduction.

Three gunmen kidnapped Mohammad Ayman Ammar, 49 and Nour Jamil Qadoura, 30, in the Bekaa valley town of Bar Elias on Friday after they intercepted their Jaguar upon entering Lebanon from Syria.

The Free Patriotic Movement and Progressive Socialist Party have toned down their rhetoric but continued to hold onto their stances on the electricity draft law that has threatened disunity in the cabinet.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who is FPM chief Michel Aoun’s son-in-law, told As Safir daily that he is ready to give more explanations to cabinet ministers on the electricity project to find the suitable solution to the crisis.

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas confirmed on Monday that he was tasked with bridging differences among top officials on an electricity project that has threatened the unity of the government.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Nahhas said Premier Najib Miqati urged him to hold consultations with officials in an attempt to find a consensual formula ahead of a Sept. 7 cabinet session to discuss the electricity draft law.