The cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Energy and Water Ministry to resume the controversial installation of high-voltage electricity lines in the Metn area of Mansouriyeh-Ain Saadeh, amid a verbal clash during the session between Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said Premier Najib Miqati stressed the importance of “solidarity” among the cabinet members and the need to avoid any dispute.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday left for the Russian capital Moscow aboard a private plane, state-run National News Agency reported.

The agency did not elaborate any further.

The Syrian National Council stressed on Wednesday that it seeks to establish strong ties between Syria and Lebanon that respect the sovereignty and independence of each country.

It said in an open letter to the Lebanese people: “To this end, the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council should be dissolved and agreements between the two countries should be revised.”

Speaker Nabih Berri reconciled on Wednesday the March 8 and 14 members of parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee after the opposition MPs boycotted it.

Berri headed a meeting of the committee after he exerted strong efforts to revive the work of the group.

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the government’s policy of “distancing itself” from the Syrian developments.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “It should instead work on fortifying Lebanon against the repercussions of the crisis.”

Hizbullah urged the cabinet on Wednesday to assume its responsibilities and seriously resolve the electricity crisis that caused severe rationing throughout Lebanon.

“Citizens are experiencing a severe electricity crisis” during harsh winter conditions, according to a statement issued by the party.

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali noted on Wednesday that the agreements between Lebanon and Syria obligate the two countries to respect them.

He said after holding talks with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour: “The greater responsibility however lies on Lebanon in implementing these agreements because arms are being smuggled to Syria and sometimes they are being smuggled through Lebanon.”

Firefighters doused on Wednesday a blaze at a shoe factory owned by Michel Daher in Sed al-Boushriyeh, media reports said.

Daher was taken to St. Joseph hospital in Dora for apparently suffering a heart attack after the fire swept through his factory, Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) reported.

Unknown assailants have kidnapped a jewelry merchant in eastern Lebanon, asking for a $200,000 ransom, Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) reported Wednesday.

Bilal al-Affi was kidnapped in the Bekaa town of Talya on Tuesday night, VDL said.

Speaker Nabih Berri criticized on Wednesday the reluctance of judiciary to try a large number of prisoners detained at Roumieh prison.

He told An Nahar daily that the tour of Heath Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel to Roumieh prison revealed a “chronic negligence.”