Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri stressed Thursday that any attempt to “change Lebanon's identity” or import “extremism and terrorism” will fail.

The council of ministers announced Thursday that it unanimously rejects any attempt to naturalize Syrian refugees in Lebanon, after remarks attributed to U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon stirred a storm of criticism in the country.

A Syrian man has been arrested on charges of providing terrorist groups with arms, ammunition and surveillance devices, the General Security announced on Thursday.

The joint parliamentary committees convened on Thursday without reaching an agreement on a new parliamentary electoral law.

The gatherers instead agreed to hold a meeting next Thursday during which they will tackle the hybrid electoral draft-law.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora stressed on Thursday that the bloc has not taken a specific stance with regard to Speaker Nabih Berri's suggestion on the parliamentary elections and that the issue requires further discussions, al-Mustaqbal daily reported.

“The bloc has not taken a positive or a negative position regarding Berri's initiative,” Saniora told the daily.

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday that the “ball is now in the court of the politicians” and they can either agree on a new electoral law or settle for the 2008 one, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

Visitors to Berri quoted him as saying that agreeing on a new electoral law has become inevitable and he said: “It is crucial that the political powers heed Lebanon's interest in agreeing on an electoral law that satisfies and represents all parties. They have no excuse to keep the country disabled.”

A nonprofit organization headed by a Lebanese citizen held prisoner in Iran received grants totaling $730,000 from the U.S. government for projects in the Middle East, the Associated Press has learned.

Nizar Zakka, 49, a technology expert and advocate for Internet freedom, was arrested in Tehran in September after being invited by the Iranian government to attend a conference there. Although no charges have been announced, Iranian media has accused him of being an American spy, allegations vigorously rejected by his family and associates.

As if losing three infants in exile in Lebanon were not heartbreaking enough, Syrian refugee Ahmad al-Mustafa then had to relive the ordeal as he pleaded to find them a grave.

"I had three babies over three years. Each time, they died," the 29-year-old construction worker from Aleppo city says, standing outside his makeshift home in Lebanon's Bekaa region.

A Lebanon military judge Wednesday sentenced 106 men to death over clashes between the army and jihadists two years ago in the east of the country, a judicial source said.

Judge Najat Abou Chakra convicted 73 Syrians, 32 Lebanese and one Palestinian of belonging to "terrorist organisations", attacking the town of Arsal near the Syrian border, and kidnapping and attempting to kill Lebanese soldiers and policemen, the source said.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat held talks on Wednesday with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah in Kuwait.

Discussions revolved on he latest Lebanese and regional developments, said a PSP statement.