Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stated on Wednesday that the problems of the tourism, agricultural, and economic sectors can be solved by politicians and concerned officials.

He said before a student delegation from Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour: “We support the elimination of political sectarianism on condition that we be provided with an alternative in order to preserve the National Pact.”

The March 14 general-secretariat criticized on Wednesday what it called a raid carried out by the Lebanese army in the northern areas bordering Syria, describing it as an abnormal deployment.

“The March 14 forces, which have continuously called for the deployment of the army on the Lebanese border with Syria to protect it along with the regions near it, its residents and the refugees, expresses regret to what happened in the areas of Akkar several days ago where a military operation took the form of a raid,” the general-secretariat said in a statement.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Wednesday that Lebanon is required to establish a more liberal economy, maintain the role of the private sector, and achieve social stability.

He said: “We are facing major challenges and we should therefore cooperate in order to maintain Lebanon’s economic identity, which is based on economic freedom.”

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Judges are meeting on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss amendments to the court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the STL said.

“The Judges of the STL are meeting today and tomorrow to discuss a number of proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, as well as other issues relating to the work of the Tribunal,” the STL said in a terse statement.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly stressed on Wednesday that the U.N. remains committed to further consolidating was has been achieved since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1701.

He said after meeting with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour: “The United Nations remains deeply committed to promoting the security and stability of Lebanon.”

Armed men intercepted a vehicle and kidnapped its driver in the Baabda district town of Tehwitat al-Ghadir, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

NNA said that the gunmen were riding a Mercedes and a BMW when they intercepted a Nissan carrying the license plate Z453380 near Cis college and al-Hilal restaurant.

Premier Najib Miqati has rejected to launch an initiative to resolve the cabinet crisis as Speaker Nabih Berri has also refused so far to mediate between him and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

Miqati’s sources told al-Akhbar daily published Wednesday that the PM “can no longer tolerate” the way ministers loyal to Aoun are dealing with him.

Speaker Nabih Berri slammed on Wednesday March 14 coalition MPs who have accused the Lebanese army of deploying in northern areas bordering Syria at the behest of the Assad regime.

“The army is carrying out the duties that its leader Gen. Jean Qahwaji has ordered,” Berri told An Nahar and As Safir dailies. “This is a patriotic institution that implements the government’s policy of distancing itself from the events in Syria.”

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour has made changes in the positions of 83 third rank diplomats and vowed to make more modifications in other posts.

Mansour’s decision on Tuesday included bringing back 13 diplomats from missions abroad into the foreign ministry in Beirut. It also gave 52 diplomats posts in Lebanese missions in different countries in the world.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Saniora revealed on Wednesday that he discussed with President Michel Suleiman a day earlier the controversial deployment of the Lebanese army in northern areas bordering Syria.

“We discussed a lot of issues, including the government (crisis), the situation in the region, the economy, the deployment of the army in the North, the security situation and (verbal) attacks on the president and the premier,” Saniora told An Nahar daily.