Lebanese expatriates in strife-torn Ivory Coast feared for their lives on Friday after reports of heavy fighting near strongman Laurent Gbagbo's residence and presidential palace in Abidjan where there are 20,000 Lebanese.

Gunmen have looted the shops and businesses belonging to Lebanese in several cities, Beirut media reported. But Ambassador Ali Ajami confirmed to Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami that the more than 50,000 Lebanese in the African country were so far safe.

High-ranking security sources have expressed fear that Wael Abbas, the ringleader of the cell that kidnapped the seven Estonians, might have handed over the hostages to another network.

The sources told An Nahar daily on Friday that Abbas could have also transferred the cyclists, who were kidnapped near Zahle’s industrial zone on March 23, “to outside the Lebanese territories,” in reference to Syria.

Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed on Friday that he suggested a way out of the difficulties that are facing the new government formation, but refused to give its details.

“I suggested a solution to solve the complications facing the cabinet lineup,” Berri remarked to As-Safir newspaper.

Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil has stressed that the Change and Reform bloc “hasn’t yet reached the point of regret” for nominating Najib Miqati as premier but described the status quo as “dangerous” which will impose a review of the bloc’s policies.

In remarks to An Nahar daily published Friday, Bassil said that Miqati believed the bloc’s demand for 12 ministers in the new cabinet was exaggerated.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri credited on Thursday slain former Premier Rafik Hariri with rebuilding Beirut, saying that he helped transform it from a ghost town to a “city of dreams.”

Hariri made his statements during a ceremony unveiling a statue of the former prime minister before the Grand Serail in downtown Beirut.

The President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Antonio Cassese, has issued a practice direction on the role of the head of the STL Defense Office, STL's press office announced Thursday.

"This is a guideline for conduct during court proceedings and it was written because of the novelty of the defense office," the press office clarified in a communiqué.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s speech on Wednesday presented positive possibilities that fundamental change will be introduced in Syria in favor of its people.

He said in a statement: “Should the Baath party decisions be implemented, then Syria’s national unity and internal stability will be fortified.”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Thursday the importance of Syria’s stability on the economic and security situation in both Syria and Lebanon.

Visitors of the Baabda Palace reported him as expressing a hope that the situation in the Arab state would return to normal in order for it to resume its reform plans.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati praised in a telephone call with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday the Syrian people’s support for his leadership.

The premier also lauded them for obstructing attempts to create strife given the recent demonstrations in Syria.

Five people were injured in a gunbattle between Jund al-Sham members and Fatah gunmen at the southern Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, media reports said Thursday.

The shooting took place after two hand grenades exploded at dawn near the house of Fatah al-Islam official Husam al-Shehabi.