After sustaining a state of psychological shock following his arrest, the so-called emir of the Islamic State group in the refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, Imad Yassine, has started to make confessions and has revealed information about terror schemes that he had planned to execute, sources following up on the investigation told As Safir daily.

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel confirmed Friday that he would extend anew the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji if the political parties fail to agree on a successor.

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji reassured Friday that the army has the “full ability” to “confront terrorism” and “protect stability” despite the current circumstances in Lebanon and the region.

Two Syrians were arrested Friday in south Lebanon for forming a travel scam ring, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Army troops carried out raids Friday at a number of Syrian refugee gatherings in the Beirut southern suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh, state-run National News Agency reported.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed Friday that no Lebanese party has the ability to “monopolize power” in the country, noting that the 1989 Taef Accord is still valid for running the country's affairs.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said on Friday that the failure of politicians to elect a president is linked to “personal and sectarian interests,” as he shamed them over the prolonged vacuum.

“It is not enough to verbally demand the election of a president. The politicians must first come up with new initiatives. Shame on the political parties that over two years and five months since the term of the president ended, they fail to find a solution or suggest new initiatives because of their adamant stances,” said Rahi.

Thousands of residents will benefit from a UK-funded project designed to assist municipalities in meeting community needs, part of UNDP and the Ministry of Social Affairs’ project: The Lebanon Host Communities Support Project, a press release said on Friday.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Friday that he is determined to hold parliament meetings with the start of the second legislative session in October dedicated to financial issues, and that he will not be deterred by the number of deputies who approve the laws even if it means that only 65 MPs pass them, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

“I am determined to hold one or more legislative sessions with the start of the normal legislative sessions to address pressing financial issues and redress the financial threats facing Lebanon,” Berri was quoted by his visitors.

Political and security contacts between Palestinian and Lebanese officials were able to find a settlement to the crisis in Tripoli's al-Bedddawi Palestinian refugee camp and loosen the security cordon that was imposed by the Lebanese army days ago, As Safir daily reported on Friday.

The army was able to get a pledge to interrogate Palestinian (Sh. Khatib) about his relationship with armed terrorist groups in Syria and recruiting young men to their advantage, added the daily.