The Higher Committee for Consultations at the Justice Ministry responded on Wednesday to inquiries submitted by the Interior Ministry on the legality of civil marriage in Lebanon.

The committee reiterated its support for civil marriage in Lebanon.

Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn signed on Wednesday a decision that postpones releasing Army Intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel from his duties, the state-run National News Agency reported.

"Ghosn's decision was based on a suggestion by Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji,” LBCI television pointed out.

A fire broke out at a plastic and nylon warehouse in the Zouk Mkayel area in the Keserouan region.

The warehouse is located in the basement of a seven-storey residential building in the neighborhood, Head of Civil Defense Brigadier General Raymond Khattar told LBCI television.

The army arrested on March 30 three people for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Israel, announced the Army Command on Wednesday.

It said in a statement: “Two Lebanese citizens and a Jordanian were planning to smuggle 20 kilograms of cannabis from Lebanon to the occupied Palestinian territories.”

President Michel Suleiman urged the international community on Thursday to pressure Israel into respecting international treaties on prisoners rights after the death of a Palestinian prisoner suffering from terminal cancer.

Suleiman condemned “the premeditated Israeli negligence of the situation of prisoners in Israeli jails" that led to the death of Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh on Tuesday.

The Maronite Bishops Council called on Wednesday on officials to respect and implement the constitution in resolving all challenges confronting the country and to form a unity government that has the consensus of all parties.

“Lebanon almost lost its unity that is the basis of its existence,” the Maronite Bishops said in a statement after its monthly meeting headed by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki.

Syrian warplanes pounded on Wednesday a house on the outskirts of the eastern border town of Arsal.

The house belongs to a member of al-Awad family, the state-run National News Agency reported.

A taxi driver was kidnapped at dawn Thursday in Dora, the latest in the string of abductions in return for ransom, the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said Joseph Issa al-Khawli disappeared on Wednesday night. But alleged abductors contacted his son asking for a 50,000-dollar-ransom.

President Michel Suleiman underwent on Wednesday a scheduled medical check-up at the Clinique du Levant in Mkalles, the presidency said in a statement.

According to the presidential palace, Suleiman, 65, is well and resumed his activity shortly at the Baabda Palace.

Gunmen opened fire at dawn Thursday on several Syrian tanker trucks in the northern city of Tripoli, injuring one person, the National News agency reported.

NNA said the gunmen attacked seven diesel tankers near the footbridge in the area of al-Tabbaneh, injuring Saleh Fares, who Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said was one of the trucks' drivers.