Judge David Baragwanath, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, on Thursday stressed that the U.N.-backed court “has no interest whatsoever in people's politics,” noting that the work of STL's judges has nothing to do with how the world labels Hizbullah.

In an interview on LBCI television, Baragwanath said the tribunal is required to work vigorously, adding that it must avoid any procrastination and emphasizing that justice must be fulfilled. He noted that delay is only acceptable when it serves the purpose of achieving justice.

Al-Akhbar newspaper unveiled on Thursday a taped conversation between al-Mustaqbal MP Oqab Saqr and Abou Nehman, a “leader in the armed Syrian opposition”, during which they apparently agree on a weapon delivery deal.

"Please help us, we need weapons,” Abou Nehman tells Saqr in the audio recording posted on the newspaper's website and aired during OTV's evening newscast.

A woman kidnapped on Tuesday was released and returned to her family on Thursday without a ransom , OTV and Future TV reported.

Mona Kanj was taken by force from her home in the Shouf region and her kidnappers asked for $600,000 as a condition to release her.

The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc praised on Thursday President Michel Suleiman's efforts in defending national causes, noting his postponement of the national dialogue session to January 7.

It said after its weekly meeting: “We support productive dialogue that protects Lebanon and its interests against regional developments and impending challenges.”

President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Judge Sir David Baragwanath held talks on Thursday with General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi at the Justice Palace, reported the National News Agency.

The two sides agreed to maintain cooperation between the Lebanese judiciary and the STL.

The Army Command announced on Thursday that it confiscated on Wednesday a container loaded with toys and home appliances with Hebrew markings.

It said in a statement that the container belongs to a Lebanese merchant and was confiscated at Beirut Port.

General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi referred on Thursday the case of forged Colloquium exams to the Central Criminal Investigations Bureau.

The National News Agency reported that Madi will “personally” supervise the investigations.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat condemned on Thursday the bombing that targeted the Jarmana town in Syria on Wednesday, saying that it is aimed at stirring sectarian tensions in the country.

He therefore urged in a statement Syria's “Druze population to join the Syrian rebels who are marking in blood heroic battles against oppression on a daily basis.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati appealed on Thursday for unity among the country's bickering leaders, and perseverance to confront political and economic challenges.

Lebanese “leaders are invited to renew trust among each other... and put their political differences aside to confront challenges,” Miqati said at the opening of Lebanon's Economic Forum at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Jabal Mohsen residents held on Thursday a brief sit-in to protest the cabinet's delay in paying compensations for the damages caused by the recent security incidents in the northern city of Tripoli.

Protesters called on Prime Minister Najib Miqati to discuss with the Higher Relief Council the appropriate way to compensate for those who were affected by the incidents.