Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi lamented on Sunday that the dereliction of the state’s duties and the sectarianism of some politicians are forcing citizens to forget their loyalty to the nation.

“The church is about loyalty to the nation and not the sect,” al-Rahi said in his sermon during the inauguration of the Lady of Assumption church in Bkirki after the end of renovation work.

Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud slammed on Sunday what he called the rampant corruption at Beirut airport, saying the authorities had no intention to resolve the problem.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3), Abboud said: Mafias are controlling the airport, from taxi drivers to the customs all the way to porters.”

The municipal chief of the Bekaa border town of Arsal complained on Sunday that the area has witnessed five violations by the Syrian army in one month, urging the army to protect the residents.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (100.5), Mohammed al-Hujairi said: “The number of (Lebanese) army (troops) in the area is limited and cannot protect it.”

Premier Najib Miqati’s sources said Sunday that the PM has expressed openness to any suggestion over the wage boost decree after the Shura Council backed it with amendments.

The sources hoped in remarks to An Nahar daily that the cabinet members would take into consideration the economic circumstances when discussing the decree.

President Michel Suleiman has reportedly informed Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun that he would favor Judge Antoine Daher for the post of Higher Judicial Council president.

Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV said Suleiman’s suggestion came during talks with Aoun on Saturday.

Beirut MPs are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at the parliament on Monday to discuss the latest armed clashes that took place in the capital, An Nahar daily reported.

The newspaper said Sunday that the lawmakers will meet at 1:00 pm “to discuss the different aspects” of the clashes.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Saturday on the importance of confiscating the “illegal arms,” noting that the Syrian people are getting closer to their “freedom.”

“Weapons should be only with the security forces and the army,” Hariri said in English, answering a question from a Twitter user.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat slammed on Saturday the agreement issued by the Maronite leaders concerning the parliamentary electoral law.

“This law will lead to the isolation of people from each other,” Jumblat told al-Manar television station.

Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas revealed on Saturday that the cabinet will meet next week to discuss the Shura Council’s modifications on the wage hike bid in order to issue a decree before the holidays.

“The cabinet will meet on Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss the Shura Council modifications… in order to issue a decree before the holidays,” Nahhas told Central News Agency.

The Foreign Ministry has filed a complaint to the United Nations on Saturday over the Israeli spy device that was discovered in southern Lebanon a few weeks ago, reported the National News Agency.

The device was discovered in the outskirts of the southern towns of Deir Kifa and Srifa.