Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Saturday that the United Nations and international community’s support for Lebanon represent a central step in establishing peace and stability in the country.

He during a dinner thrown in visiting U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon’s honor: “We need the international community’s support in forcing Israel to halt its violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and implement international resolutions.”

Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad stressed on Saturday that any change in Syria should be made by the people without any foreign intervention.

Raad said after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that the two have different points of view over the developments in Syria.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday met in Lebanon and discussed the "dangerous trajectory" of the crisis in Syria, Ban's spokesman said.

The U.N. secretary general and Turkish Minister are in Lebanon for a U.N. conference on democracy in the Arab world.

Gemayel Meets Ban, Says Lebanon’s Sovereignty over Shebaa Farms Key Element

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Saturday that the situation in the South is linked to Syria’s recognition of Lebanon's sovereignty over the Shebaa Farms.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri slammed on Saturday any renewal of the national dialogue that doesn’t address the defense strategy, stressing that there will be no civil war in Lebanon.

Asked by a twitter user if the opposition will join any national dialogue if it didn’t discuss the national strategy, Hariri said “there’s no need.”

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed on Saturday that United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon’s concern about his party’s arms gives him comfort and happiness, vowing that the party will grow stronger.

“I felt happy when I heard that he (Ban) said he was concerned about our military power,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech during the commemoration of the Arbaeen in Baalbek.

A conference on democracy in the Arab world opens in Beirut on Sunday with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon set to deliver the keynote address to a slew of dignitaries, many from countries that suffered under dictatorship.

"Current and former officials from a number of countries around the world will speak of their wonderful and rich experiences in their transition to democracy," said Maha Yahya, regional advisor for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which is organizing the meet.

An alleged terrorist plot aimed at Bangkok that sparked urgent warnings of danger from the United States and Israel has been thwarted, Thai police said Saturday.

National Police Chief Gen. Priewpan Damapong said the alleged bombing scheme was called off by the alleged plotters — two Lebanese men said to be linked to Hizbullah. One man was in custody for questioning, and the other was at large.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon arrived in the southern coastal town of Naqoura aboard a helicopter on Saturday for talks with the leadership of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Ban was greeted by UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas and undertook a brief tour by helicopter over the Blue Line.

Two brothers from the Zoaiter family were killed on Saturday after another member of their clan opened fire on their vehicle in the area of Hadath Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.

It said the son of Ali Hussein Khalil Zoaiter opened fire on the Grand Cherokee of Ahmed Sobhi Zoaiter, 27, and his brother Hussein, 35, severely injuring them.