A Lebanese security source revealed that Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali’s statements on the abduction of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon does not mean that he and his embassy may not be directly responsible for the kidnapping of the Jassem brothers and Shebli al-Aisamy.

The source told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper in remarks published on Sunday that Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi’s statements on the matter “are accurate and they are based on damning facts and evidence.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Saturday that Lebanon is committed to all the international resolutions especially United Nations resolution 1701, vowing to reinforce the Lebanese army to replace the UNIFIL in the south.

Miqati said during a meeting with Ireland President Mary McAleese at the Grand Serail that he will put his efforts to “strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces to be able to replace the peace keeping forces in the South.”

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said on Saturday that the clashes that erupted at Cairo between Egyptian troops and the Copts ascend fears over the Christians’ conditions in the Arab World.

Gemayel discussed the latest developments with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi in Egypt, according to a statement issued by the Phalange Party press office.

Economy and Trade Minister Nicolas Nahas urged officials on Saturday to tackle the Special Tribunal for Lebanon away from the media spotlight and “withdraw” it from political discussions, the National News Agency reported.

He stressed that the STL will “be included in the state budget.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said on Saturday that the Syrian people will be able to arise from the crisis stronger than before, stressing that violence will lead to failure.

“The country that uses violence and not take the path of dialogue will not succeed,” Aoun said during a meeting with a Syrian youth delegation in Rabieh.

Marada movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has hailed the ability of Syrian President Bashar Assad to prevent “conspirators” from targeting his regime.

In a meeting with a delegation from the “Youth for the National Unity of Syria,” Franjieh said: “The strength of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the love of the people for him and the army’s solidarity have thwarted the opportunity for Syria’s enemies who harbor ill-will.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea warned that the Lebanese status quo was in tatters after the U.S. accused Iran of trying to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington.

In an interview with the Saudi al-Riyadh daily, Geagea said: “After the confrontation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on one side and Iran on the other went out of hands, I am no longer sure that we could keep this status quo.”

The Lebanese Army Intelligence and a unit from the military’s second brigade in Akkar have seized machineguns and Rocket Propelled Grenades from a van in Halba, the National News Agency reported.

NNA said the van is owned by Kh.M., who hails from the border region of Wadi Khaled in the north. The weapons were seized on Friday after the army stopped the van on the Halba-Khraibeh road.

The General Labor Confederation is set to hold a series of meetings with top Lebanese officials starting Monday in an attempt to introduce changes to a government decision on a salary boost.

GLC chief Ghassan Ghosn told As Safir daily on Saturday that a delegation headed by him will hold talks with Labor Minister Marwan Charbel and later on with Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas.

President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun are bickering over the appointments of top civil servants to administrative posts reserved for Christians, informed sources said.

The sources told As Safir daily published Saturday that Suleiman and Aoun have conflicting viewpoints on vacant posts, particularly the presidency of the Higher Judicial Council.