Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji has lauded the residents of the northern city of Tripoli for cooperating with the military in its fight against terrorists.

“Tripoli (provides) an embracing environment for the army, the state and moderation,” Qahwaji told al-Mustaqbal newspaper published on Thursday.

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday urged the Lebanese parliament to quickly choose a new president to bolster stability as war rages across the border in Syria.

Lebanon has been without a president since May because of disagreements between lawmakers.

Al-Nusra Front announced on Wednesday evening “an attempt to target” the place of the kidnapped servicemen by the Lebanese and the Syrian army. On the other hand, a family of abducted soldier by the Islamic State visited their son and the families postponed their escalation.

The Syrian army targeted on Wednesday armed men sites in the outskirts of Arsal with artillery shells, in an advanced field move after the Syrian troops have been using warplanes to bomb.

The March 14 alliance's general-secretariat said Wednesday that the extension of parliament's mandate for two years and seven months should not be taken as a principle.

“The extension taking place in institutions can't become a rule. The principle lies in respecting the state and its institutions and swiftly electing a president and approving a new electoral law that would lead to holding the polls,” the general-secretariat said following its weekly meeting.

The head of the Association of Restaurant Owners Tony Rami considered on Wednesday that the “food scandal” revealed by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour shouldn't affect the whole sector as food safety measures vary.

“We reject any kind of defamation against any restaurant before judicial sentences and written warnings are issued,” Rami said in a statement.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam lauded on Wednesday the efforts exerted by Health Minister Wael Abou to reveal spoiled food after Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat gave him his complete coverup.

Salam encouraged Abou Faour to continue his precautionary measures and demanded him to firmly deal with the matter and violators.

President of the Constitutional Council Issam Suleiman stressed on Wednesday that members of the council will deal with any challenge against the extension of the parliament's mandate according to norms.

“Any challenge will be discussed in the presence of all the council's members,” Suleiman told reporters in a press conference in response to a question if the council will fail to meet.

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Wednesday that the extension of the parliament's tenure is a “flagrant violation” of all democratic principles, expressing regret that it was the result of political and constitutional heresy.

“Lebanon is passing through a dangerous political stage distinguished by the loss of balance as if the country is lacking logic,” Gemayel said in comments published in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Siyassah.

The Lebanese army intelligence has arrested a man on suspicion of selling chemicals used for manufacturing explosives, security officials said.

The officials, who were not identified, told al-Mustaqbal newspaper published on Wednesday that a military intelligence unit arrested Mohammed Saadeddine J. in the southern city of Sidon several days ago.