Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah noted Friday that his group's military advances against extremist militants in the outskirts of Arsal would “alleviate the burden” on the Lebanese army, which is deployed inside and around the northeastern border town.

“The battle of Arsal's outskirts will greatly alleviate the burden on the army and it will facilitate the steps that the state and the people have asked the army to perform,” said Nasrallah via video link to a rally organized by Hizbullah-affiliated al-Mahdi Scouts.

The Consultative Gathering welcomed on Friday the government’s decision on the northeastern town of Arsal, and the need to hold responsible all those obstructing the constitution.

In a statement read by Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb, the gathering, which is led by former President Michel Suleiman said: “We denounce how some politicians continue to ignore the danger that Lebanon is facing and continue to obstruct the parliamentary sessions to elect a president.”

The Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry discussed Friday the presidential impasse with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Jean-François Girault separately tackled with the two officials the protracting presidential deadlock and the latest developments in the region.

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim vowed that negotiations with the abductors of servicemen will not harm Lebanon's sovereignty nor violate the laws.

“Dialogue fortifies stability... We refuse to breach Lebanon's sovereignty or laws in our negotiations with the abductors of Lebanese servicemen,” Ibrahim told the General Security magazine.

The Lebanese army heavily targeted Friday militant posts on the outskirts of the northeastern border villages of Arsal and Ras Baalbek in the Bekaa.

The state-run National News Agency reported that the military targeted with heavy artillery and rocket launchers the positions of jihadists, who are entrenched on the outskirts of the northeastern border town.

Kataeb Party lawmaker Elie Marouni revealed Friday that he received threats over the arrest of Alexi Nicolas Jeha, calling on security forces to assume their responsibilities and unveil the truth.

“I received on Thursday a text message threatening me,” Marouni said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5).

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil stressed Friday that the official Lebanese stance is only expressed by the cabinet, urging Arab states not to allow the Iranian expansion in the region by taking the initiative.

The minister hailed Saudi Arabia for overcoming the stances expressed by some Lebanese officials, in hints to Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, considering that it “indicates the kingdom's affection towards Lebanon.”

The Army Command is studying cabinet decision to take all necessary measures to deploy inside the northeastern border town of Arsal to fend off any assault by militants who are entrenched on the mountainous area along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

“The army is proceeding with its deployment in Arsal, Ras Baalbek and the areas of engagement,” a high-ranking military source said in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam telephoned Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday night to discuss the latest developments after the government entered a stage of paralysis.

Local dailies said Friday that Berri was asked if the cabinet would remain paralyzed over a dispute on the appointment of security and military officials.

Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq postponed on Thursday the retirement of Internal Security Forces chief Ibrahim Basbous, effectively extending his term in office, an issue that has been stirring debate at cabinet for months.

Mashnouq signed a decree that would keep the ISF chief in his post for two more years.