Spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Andrea Tenenti said Thursday that talks to solve border disputes between Lebanon and Israel are ongoing until a solution is reached.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi “stands at an equal distance” from all political parties and refuses to interfere in the parliamentary electoral process, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

“Bkirki stand at an equal distance from all candidates, particularly in the Christian regions. Bkirki does not support anyone (candidate or party) at the expense of another,” the daily quoted Bkirki sources.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday called for “improving” the current electoral law while declaring that his party does not have “reservations” over President Michel Aoun's call for post-polls defense strategy talks.

“The upcoming elections represent a serious opportunity for the Lebanese people to re-produce their national authorities,” said Nasrallah in a televised address to announce his party's electoral platform.

With support from the EU-funded “DAWRIC" project, the British Council organized Wednesday a panel discussion on challenges and solutions related to women's political participation in Lebanon.

The event was organized in collaboration with Maharat Foundation and the Committee for the Follow up on Women Issues (CFUWI).

British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter has visited the eastern border town of Arsal for the first time, to “see first-hand how the border town is benefiting from the UK’s security and development partnership with Lebanon,” the British embassy said on Wednesday.

The Trial Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will hold a second Pre-Defense Conference in the Ayyash et. al case under Rule 129 on Thursday, the STL said.

An Oklahoma man already sentenced to life in prison for the hate-crime killing of his Lebanese neighbor has pleaded guilty for a hit-and-run that injured the victim's mother.

The U.N. Security Council reaffirmed its strong support for Lebanon's political independence following a report by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who said "crises in the region continue to pose a risk to the stability" of the country.

In a report circulated this week, Guterres pointed to the sudden resignation — later rescinded — of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri late last year while he was in Saudi Arabia as one crisis. It was widely seen as orchestrated by Hariri's Saudi backers, who complain that the Lebanese government is controlled by the powerful Iran-backed Hizbullah group.

President Michel Aoun chaired the government meeting on Wednesday at Baabda Palace to discuss and decide on 35 items on the agenda, “including some urgent files,” the National News Agency reported.

The meeting was held in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and government ministers.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said on Wednesday that a draft law will be submitted granting Lebanese women married to foreigners the right to pass their nationality to their children, “with the exception of neighboring countries.”