United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano briefed on Friday Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam on UNIFIL's joint efforts with the Lebanese army to maintain calm and stability in the South and along the Blue Line.

Portlando discussed with the two officials in separate meetings the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations and issues related to the implementation of UNIFIL’s mandate under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Military Prosecutor Judge Saqr Saqr issued on Friday charges against five suspected terrorists for killing a soldier in an ambush in northern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said Saqr charged the five detainees with belonging to an armed group for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities.

Police have arrested a Palestinian man who extorted his young victims through social networking sites after threatening to publish obscene photos of them.

The Internal Security Forces said 22-year-old J.A. was arrested over the weekend when an underage Palestinian informed police about his schemes.

Al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front accused on Friday Hizbullah of planting a landmine that exploded in an army patrol on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Three soldiers were wounded in a roadside bombing that targeted their patrol in al-Raayan road in Arsal's Wadi Ata region as unknown gunmen opened fire at another patrol heading to inspect the site of the explosion.

Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel insists on boycotting parliamentary sessions until lawmakers elect a new head of state, holding local parties responsible for the ongoing vacuum at the Baabda Palace and undermining the foreign factor.

“Each side considers itself right,” Gemayel said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday.

Speaker Nabih Berri has discussed with al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora the political crises gripping the country, As Safir daily reported on Friday.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying that Saniora visited Berri along with Nader Hariri, the adviser of al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri.

British Ambassador Tom Fletcher has said that the election of a new president in Lebanon does not require the involvement of other countries, expressing disappointment at the failure of MPs to choose a head of state and warning of its dire consequences.

The constitution is clear in terms of the election of a new head of state, Fletcher told As Safir daily in an interview published on Friday.

Singer turned fugitive Islamist Fadel Shaker has reportedly opened a bakery and two pastry shops in the southern Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday.

The daily reported that informants said the bakery is run by Mohammed Baydoun, who is also wanted by the judiciary.

A Peruvian judge has ordered a Lebanese man held for 18 months for investigation for entering the country with false documents and who authorities say belongs to Hizbullah.

Police arrested Mohamed Hamdar on Oct. 28, saying traces of explosives were found among his possessions.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday said he supports going to parliamentary elections if the Constitutional Council decides to shorten the extended term of parliament, stressing that Saudi Arabia did not influence his party's decision to vote in favor of extension.

“If the Constitutional Council decides to shorten the extension period, we are with going to elections, even under the 1960 (electoral) law,” Geagea said in an interview on LBCI television.