The Lebanese Army staged wide security raids at dawn on Saturday in the northeastern region of Masharih al-Qaa and arrested tens of suspects, the National News Agency reported Saturday.

The Airborne Regiment, a Land Border Regiment unit and the Army Intelligence staged the raids in the Syrian refugee encampments in Masharih al-Qaa in search of fugitives, NNA added.

Israel will Monday receive its first F-35 stealth fighter jets, hailed as technological marvels whose helmets alone cost more than most people's homes but criticised for their price and initial flaws.

Built by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, the first two planes' arrival in Israel is being welcomed as a major event for the country's military as it seeks to maintain dominance in the turbulent Middle East.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed Friday that “no political party in Lebanon” is trying to block the formation of the new government, while emphasizing that his party's relation with President Michel Aoun is “excellent.”

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced after talks with Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday evening that the parliament speaker is “very keen” on a speedy formation of the new government, noting that the line-up of the cabinet might be finalized “very soon.”

Caretaker Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq announced Friday that his ministry is ready to organize the 2017 parliamentary polls within “the deadlines stipulated by law.”

The Israeli army acknowledged Friday that a "declassified map" it released earlier this week showing alleged armed deployment by Hizbullah across southern Lebanon was merely an illustration.

The army said that the map, which Israeli media said was circulated to foreign diplomats as evidence of alleged Hizbullah hostile intentions, was not based on any new intelligence.

Ambassador Hugo Shorter has welcomed the new Human Rights Commission, in a speech to civil society, Lebanese officials and the international community.

The body of a man who has been reported missing 40 days ago was found in the southern city of Sidon with a driver's license next to him carrying his name and place of residence, the National News Agency reported Friday.

The body which carried clear signs of torture, belongs to citizen Haitham Ali Raad (from Bednayel, born in 1965) residing in Beirut's southern suburbs, NNA added.

Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra said on Friday his party has always carried the project of building the State, noting that “the LF seeks partnership as stipulated by the Taef Accord.”

In an interview on LBCI, Zahra said his party saw in President Michel Aoun a chance to re-implement the Taef agreement “as originally drafted and not as previously applied.”

Hizbullah has slammed as “baseless” reports alleging that the party has pledged not to retaliate against Israeli strikes that hit inside Syria, LBCI reported Friday.

“Media reports quoted Israeli enemy alleging that Hizbullah made a pledge to Russia not to respond to Israeli airstrikes inside Syria...are baseless and unfounded,” Hizbullah media office said in a statement on Friday.