An Israeli force comprising 10 troops on Wednesday left its military post in the occupied town of Ghajar and advanced towards the recreational parks on the bank of the Wazzani River in Lebanese territory, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

“The force crossed the electronic fence and stationed itself in the area located between the fence and the virtual Blue Line,” NNA said.

The Ministry of Economy’s Consumer Protection Directorate on Wednesday seized 25 tons of spoiled meat in the Beirut district of Tariq Jedideh.

“The raid unveiled the presence of 25 tons of expired meat at a commercial company in Tariq Jedideh,” Directorate chief Fouad Flaifel told Al-Jadeed television.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour on Wednesday voiced rejection of a call by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly for the Lebanese authorities to provide protection for the members of the rebel Free Syrian Army who flee to Lebanon, as President Michel Suleiman called the Higher Defense Council to convene on Thursday to discuss the latest developments related to the Lebanese-Syrian border.

“Lebanon cannot heed such a request; it rather acts according to its interest, security situation and capabilities, and we cannot provide support to armed elements stationed in the Lebanese territory,” Mansour said in an interview on Al-Manar television.

Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora noted on Wednesday that some sides in Lebanon who are accusing others of meddling in the Syrian crisis are in fact guilty of these charges.

He said: “Those calling for the freedom in Lebanon cannot do so while simultaneously supporting the Syrian regime.”

The U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri has published its third annual report detailing its activities during the past year.

“A copy of the report was sent last week to the U.N. Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) and the Lebanese Prime Minister,” Najib Miqati, the STL said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri noted on Wednesday that the Arab Spring allows the Lebanese to “update” their democratic experience and eliminate the remnants of the sectarian wars.

He said: “Democracy protects us all and we must resort to dialogue to face intolerance.”

The Beirut accusatory body acquitted on Wednesday the owners of the Fassouh building that collapsed on January 15.

The body had approved Beirut Examining Magistrate Ghassan Owaidat’s decision to acquit Claude and Michel Saadeh of the charges against them.

A Lebanese non-governmental organization promoting freedom of expression expressed fears on Wednesday that a draft-law organizing electronic media would harm freedoms if approved by the Government.

Maharat Foundation said in a press release that the draft-law proposed by Information Minister Walid al-Daouq was swiftly put on the agenda of the Cabinet that will convene on Wednesday without consulting experts.

U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly held a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.

The two discussed the local “political and security situation”, and the bilateral ties between the United States and Lebanon, according to a statement issued by the embassy.

The head of the public drivers syndicate, Bassam Tleis, called for a strike on April 19 to protest the government’s failure to set a ceiling for rising fuel prices.

“Our main demand lies in setting the ceiling for the prices of gasoline at LL25,000 and diesel at LL20,000,” Tleis said in a press conference he held at the General Labor Confederation headquarters on Wednesday.