Health Minister Wael Abu Faour on Monday confirmed receiving a letter from the abductors of the Lebanese troops and policemen, as the Islamic State group threatened to behead two soldiers and al-Nusra Front halted the execution of Ali al-Bazzal.

In remarks to state-run National News Agency, Abu Faour said he “received from the government a letter containing the captors' demands,” without specifying if it is from the IS or al-Nusra.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stated on Monday that the unrest in the northern city of Tripoli “is nearing its end,” stressing the need for a national stance towards eliminating the terrorists.

He said: “The order to take decisive action against the terrorists has been given.”

Two terrorist cells were discovered on Monday in the southern city of Sidon, reported Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

It said that one cell was seeking to carry out an attack against the al-Zahra mosque, while the other was seeking to attack Army Intelligence positions.

Clashes broke out on Monday between the army and gunmen in the town of Bhannine in the northern region of Akkar as it continued its pursuit of the fugitives following days of unrest, reported the National News Agency.

It said that one officer was lightly wounded in the shootout that took place in the orchards of Bhannine.

The army Monday took control of the Tripoli district of Bab al-Tabbaneh where thousands of civilians fled deadly clashes between troops and Islamist militants.

The fighting was the fiercest bout of Syria-related violence in the northern port city since the 2011 outbreak of the civil war in Lebanon's neighbor, leaving 11 soldiers and five civilians dead between Friday and Sunday.

The Kataeb Party stressed on Monday the necessity of “solidarity with the army in order to consolidate sovereignty,” saying that this needs "political and national support by the leaders in Tripoli."

In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, Kataeb's political bureau stated that it “stands firmly by the people of Tripoli," calling for “their full protection and for urgently providing them with humanitarian assistance.”

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale commended on Monday the bravery of the personnel of the Lebanese Armed Forces, “who are working to keep the northern city of Tripoli and northern region Akkar safe for all residents” in light of the recent clashes.

He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “We condemn those who seek to sow chaos and discord in Lebanon and are confident the Lebanese people stand united in the face of this threat.”

The Higher Islamic Council condemned on Monday the latest clashes in the northern city of Tripoli, voicing its support to the army in its efforts to crackdown down on gunmen.

It said after a meeting at Dar al-Fatwa's headquarters in Beirut: “We demand that illegitimate weapons be stripped throughout Lebanon.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea hoped on Monday that the latest battles between the army and extremists in the northern city of Tripoli were decisive.

Geagea's press office said that the LF chief telephoned Army commander Maj. Gen. Jean Qahwaji stressing his “support for the military institution against terrorism and extremism.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat voiced on Monday his complete support to the army in its role in “asserting the authority and legitimacy of the state” in the northern city of Tripoli, the North, and throughout Lebanon.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “The army once against demonstrated that it is only biased towards protecting the Lebanese people.”