Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas announced on Wednesday that the Bakeries Union has decided to call off its strike that was scheduled for Thursday.

He said during a press conference that the strike was cancelled after an agreement was reached to subsidize flour with LL70,000, meaning that the bakeries will receive a ton of flour at the cost of LL440,000 instead of LL510,000.

March 8 camp MPs took turns on Wednesday in defending the government on the second day of the session aimed at assessing its work.

Development and Liberation bloc MP Ghazi Zoaiter defended the government’s decision to distance itself from regional affairs, saying that such a position guarantees Lebanon’s neutrality and its equidistance from all sides.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said Wednesday that the decision of pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen to set a deadline for challenging the court’s jurisdiction is another milestone towards trial in the case of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

Four Hizbullah members - Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Oneissi and Assad Sabra – have been indicted by the STL in Hariri’s Feb. 2005 killing.

Weapons found at the port of the southern city of Sidon were old arms that were bought from the army through a public auction, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported Wednesday.

The report came after Future News said a number of old weapons that were being prepared to be shipped abroad have discovered by security apparatuses at the port.

President Michel Suleiman said he informed the delegation visiting Australia with him that the government will draft a law that would allow Lebanese expatriates to vote in the parliamentary elections.

In remarks to reporters accompanying him in his trip, Suleiman said the expats are an added value for Lebanon.

UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra said the continued Israeli occupation of the Lebanese side of the border village of Ghajar has political reasons.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday, Serra said: “The problem of Ghajar is political more than military.”

March 14 opposition MPs resumed Wednesday their attack on the government on the second day of a three-day parliamentary session, which will witness statements by 53 more lawmakers.

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Abou Khater accused the cabinet of corruption, reiterating that it was formed through a coup against ex-Premier Saad Hariri’s former government last year.

Lebanese authorities have refused to allow U.N. observers to land in the defunct Qulaiat airport in the North to give them quick access to the Syrian province of Homs, An Nahar daily reported Wednesday.

The newspaper said the U.N. made the request given that the airport is at close proximity to Homs and could be used for the possible evacuation of casualties.

The transportation sector on Tuesday seemed inclined to postpone a strike scheduled for Thursday, following a meeting between a syndical delegation and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.3-100.5) reported that “the demands were put on the agenda of the cabinet session that will be held on Friday.”

The Phalange Party said on Tuesday that it was unfortunate that a dispute erupted between Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi, saying that whoever occupies those two positions should enjoy complete accord.

It said in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting: “The dispute is a sign of a future disputes within the government, which will have catastrophic consequences on Lebanon.”