The March 14 forces on Wednesday called on Hizbullah to put an end to “the duality of two armies and two decisions in one country,” noting that attempts to “label the Lebanese as supporters and critics of the army” were refuted by the latest Tripoli battle.

“The national solidarity with the army, especially by the residents of Tripoli, Dinniyeh, Minieh and Akkar, has proved once again how much these regions are committed to Lebanon as an irreversible choice,” the March 14 General Secretariat said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

Two brawls erupted Wednesday at the Notre Dame University in Louaize between students belonging to the Lebanese Forces and others from the Free Patriotic Movement.

LBCI television said the two-phase clash broke out over the issue of “raising electoral banners, two days ahead of the scheduled student elections at NDU.”

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri slammed on Wednesday statements that would cause contention with regional countries, calling on Lebanese politicians to avoid stances that harm the national interests.

“We urge all sides to be reasonable and avert rifts with nearby countries,” Asiri told reporters after talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

Lawmakers failed on Wednesday for the fifteenth time to elect a new president over a lack of quorum at parliament.

The next elections session has been scheduled for November 19.

A number of Syrians were arrested on Wednesday during security raids in the Chouf region in Mount Lebanon and the northeastern border area of Arsal.

State security forces announced that they had arrested two days ago 12 Syrians, who confessed to taking part in the clashes with the army in August, reported LBCI television.

Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel held talks on Wednesday with Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun, a day after meeting with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Gemayel described his meeting with Aoun as “excellent,” pointing out that the circumstances compelled him to head to Rabieh.

The Lebanese army carried out large-scale raids early on Wednesday in the northern coastal city of Tripoli and the region of Koura in search of suspects, as several armed men turned themselves in.

The army expanded its raids in the evening and arrested several suspects, including one accused of belonging to the group of Imad Jomaa, whose arrest on August 2 sparked deadly clashes with jihadist gunmen in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Speaker Nabih Berri announced on Wednesday that he will call next week for a session to extend parliament's term.

He made the declaration during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence.

Lieutenant General Raymond Thomas III, a senior official in the United States Army, arrived in Lebanon for a brief visit, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Thomas, the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, arrived in Lebanon at the head of a military delegation.

A meeting of representatives of political blocs and parties of the March 14 alliance was held on Tuesday night to address the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

It said that the gatherers were in agreement over the various security developments that had taken place in Lebanon, as well as the Syrian crisis and its impact on Lebanon.