Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel issued a decree on Saturday suspending the deadline for submitting parliamentary elections nominations until May 19.

The decree added that the Interior Ministry will resume accepting nominations on May 20 and until May 25.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea renewed on Saturday the demand for the rise of a state capable of achieving stability, security, and justice for all in Lebanon.

He said: “We realize now more than ever that war does not benefit any side, which is why we seek the rise of a strong state capable of imposing its authority throughout its territories.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati hoped on Saturday that youths in Lebanon would learn from the experiences of their elders and “realize that no one in the country can eliminate the other.”

He said: “We hope that the youths would avoid being used as fuel for futile battles that only lead to more despair.”

The Free Patriotic Movement is keen on forming a government that will tackle national concerns, not just the parliamentary elections, reported al-Joumhouria daily Saturday.

FPM sources noted: “The alleged neutral government is aimed at marginalizing Christians.”

The March 8 camp will continue to facilitate Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam's mission to form a new government amid an agreement being allegedly reached between its members, reported various media outlets on Saturday.

As Safir newspaper said that a meeting had taken place Friday morning between the Hizbullah leader's aide Hussein Khalil, Speaker Nabih Berri's political aide caretaker Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's aide caretaker Minister Jebran Bassil during which they agree on core issues over the new government that they will not waiver on.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is unlikely to follow the lead of his predecessor Najib Miqati, who took too long in forming a new government, but he is keen on establishing one that will oversee the elections, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

Observers monitoring his activity told the daily that Salam is working within a ten-day deadline within which he will announce the formation of a new cabinet.

The series of kidnappings between the Bekaa town of Arsal and the Jaafar clan ended on Saturday with the release of the remaining captives held by both sides, reported the National News Agency.

It said that seven Arsal residents were released by the Jaafar clan, while five clan members were released by locals from the town.

A man was killed on Friday when unknown attackers opened fire at a cafe in the Tripoli neighborhood of Abi Samra, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Two young men on a motorcycle opened fire at a cafe in Abi Samra, which left Yehia Hassoun wounded,” NNA said.

A convoy belonging to a local party on Friday fired gunshots on a car at the Masnaa border crossing with Syria, leaving at least one person wounded, media reports said.

“A Hizbullah convoy fired at a car at the Masnaa border crossing,” Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported.

The March 8 forces on Friday voiced dismay after media reports said Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam intends to form a small, technocrat cabinet and after the names of its alleged members were leaked.

“Salam has not communicated with the March 8 forces since the end of consultations at al-Nejmeh Square,” NBN television reported.