The army arrested an Islamic State cell consisted of four Syrians during the holiday period, the military announced on Wednesday.

“As a result of the intensive efforts that the Intelligence Directorate carried out in the various Lebanese regions during the holiday period to preserve citizens’ security, it managed to arrest a cell belonging to the terrorist IS cell,” the Army Command said in a statement.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday reiterated his call for the rise of a “civil state” in Lebanon as a solution for the country’s recurring crises.

“The only solution today and in the future is the rise of a civil state,” Berri told lawmakers during the weekly Ain el-Tineh meeting, reminding that he had raised this “solution” years ago at a national dialogue conference.

President Michel Aoun continued Tuesday contacts aimed at facilitating the formation of the new government in light of the outcome of his Monday meeting with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, the National News Agency said.

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil, Aoun’s close aide and son-in-law, meanwhile held talks with Hariri at the Center House.

Granting the Lebanese a new government as a “holidays gift” is still possible, Hizbullah said on Tuesday.

“All those concerned with the formation of the government are exerting serious efforts,” a Hizbullah delegation said after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has warned a government needs to be formed as the country faces a tough economic situation after months of political deadlock.

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces announced Tuesday the success of its security plan for New Year's Eve, saying the celebrations went without major incidents.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has received cables greeting him on the occasion of the new year from a number of world leaders, his office said on Monday.

The most notable ones came from U.S. President Donald Trump, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres, King Abdullah II of Jordan, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, Norwegian Premier Erna Solberg and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Communication has been resumed between senior Free Patriotic Movement officials and Hizbullah liaison and coordination chief Wafiq Safa, an informed parliamentary source said.

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has also resumed his mediation that is aimed at ending the government formation deadlock, the source told al-Hayat newspaper in remarks published Monday.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has lamented the ongoing delay in the cabinet formation process.

“Unfortunately, the government’s formation has been delayed in this manner, but I’m confident that all political parties want a solution,” Hariri said as he toured downtown Beirut to inspect preparations for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Two army intelligence agents were wounded Sunday in a cash with fugitives in the Baalbek district town of Brital.