Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that talks with Speaker Nabih Berri have highlighted the necessity to implement the security plan in the eastern area of Bekaa in light of the exacerbating theft, kidnapping and killing incidents.

“I have briefed the Speaker on the latest facts which have shown that within 14 months around 245 incidents took place, which have included kidnapping and theft, in the area of Bekaa and the neighboring areas mainly in the city of Baalbek,” said Mashnouq after talks with Berri in Ain el-Tineh on Friday.

We Want Accountability civil society demonstrators gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh protesting the outspread burning of garbage that has spread in several areas in Lebanon diffusing a toxic stench, the National News Agency said on Friday.

The campaigners gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh in al-Bauchrieh

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed on Thursday that the trash management crisis is being obstructed by political disputes and that he will take the necessary action if a change is not made.

“Tackling the trash crisis is being hindered by political tensions. I will take the appropriate action if a radical change is not made,” said the PM to a delegation of students from the Saint Joseph University.

Two members of the Safwan family who have survived a near-drowning incident off the Turkish coast in an illegal migration attempt arrived at the airport at midnight, the state-run National News Agency said on Thursday.

Maher and Moussa Safwan, 18 and 23, arrived at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Thursday at midnight on board the Turkish Airlines, NNA added.

Construction works preparing the Srar landfill in northern Akkar district have been halted on Wednesday after protesters and several students held a sit-in protesting the move, the state-run National News Agency said.

A number of campaigners erected tents in Akkar's area of al-Abboudieh and school students held a sit-in in the area to halt the works of bulldozers amid heavy security presence, NNA added.

Eight people were killed and many wounded on Monday when the Lebanese army targeted militant positions along the eastern border with war-torn Syria, security sources told AFP.

"The Lebanese army targeted militants on the border" with Syria, a security source said.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said from Tehran that the world expects Lebanon and Iran to eradicate terrorism because we have the military power and intelligence to do so, the state-run National News Agency reported.

“We have talked about the expectations of the region and its people from two countries such as Lebanon and Iran. Our main responsibility is to eradicate terrorism from our land," said Bassil in a press conference.

A Palestinian national was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in the southern area of Tyre, the state-run National News Agency said on Sunday.

Alaa Walid al-Qasem, 18, from the area of al-Qasmieh was reportedly found dead in one of the banana groves on the coastline between al-Qasmieh and Tyre.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stated on Sunday that the party does not approve to topple the cabinet despite its slow performance, affirming that Hizbullah commits to dialogue despite warnings that some parties might withdraw from the sessions.

“We reaffirm our commitment for dialogue and convergence among the Lebanese. We have participated in this government for the security and political stability in Lebanon,” said Nasrallah in a televised appearance.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi expressed dismay at the destiny of the political situation in Lebanon, blaming the christian leaders for not realizing the magnitude of danger surrounding the Christians, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Sunday.

“Rahi arrived at a conviction that many political leaders, mainly Christians, do not want to elect a president because they are benefiting from the vacuum and from the absence of the president to exercise their powers on behalf,” sources close to the Patriarch told the daily.