Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday noted that “the vast majority of countries,” including Iran, did not want Michel Aoun to become president of Lebanon.

A Syrian abductee was released for ransom Wednesday in the Bekaa region, state-run National News Agency reported.

President Michel Aoun on Wednesday received congratulatory cables over his election from Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of Gulf leaders.

Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra has announced that the LF would “voice reservations” should the policy statement of the new government include the controversial “army-people-resistance” equation.

Senior Hizbullah official Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek called Wednesday for the formation of a national unity government that “does not exclude anyone,” while stressing that “the entire world cannot break the ties that gather Hizbullah and the AMAL Movement.”

The binding parliamentary consultations with elected President Michel Aoun for the designation of a new premier kicked off on Wednesday at the presidential palace in Baabda.

The General Security announced Wednesday that it has busted a Lebanese-Syrian prostitution ring in the Jounieh coastal area of Maameltein.

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that he will show cooperation at the governmental level, but stressed that he will go hand in hand with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh and PSP leader Walid Jumblat with regard to nomination of the upcoming new Prime Minister, al-Akhbar daily reported.

Well-informed sources told the daily “there is great positivity on Berri's part as he plans to name Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri for the post of premiership.”

The Maronite Bishops called on Wednesday for the formation of an efficient government and the stipulation of a fair election law after the election of a new president.

They congratulated newly elected President Michel Aoun, highly appreciating the efforts exerted by all parties to end the presidential vacuum.

Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat has asked to go alone to the binding parliamentary consultations to name a premier, and will not accompany the Mustaqbal bloc MPs to the presidential palace, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.