The Internal Security Forces Information Branch arrested a people smuggler on Saturday in the town of Karak in Zahle on charges of smuggling Syrian individuals into Lebanese territories, a statement issued by the ISF Directorate General said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi discussed with General Security head Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on Friday the file of Syrian refugees, and the delayed formation of Lebanon’s government.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri held talks on Friday with Saudi head of mission in Lebanon Walid Bukhari where talks focused on annual pilgrimage issues “without touching on the government formation process.”

Caretaker Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq held talks on Friday with Special Secretary for Strategic Affairs of the Brazilian government Hussein Kalout where discussions highlighted preparations for upcoming visit of Brazilian president to Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.

In light of conflicting views over restoring ties with Syria, Speaker Nabih Berri said Lebanon "needs to coordinate efforts" with the neighboring country, noting that he plans to call for a legislative session if a government is not formed soon.

AMAL Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday stressed Lebanon’s need for the "speedy" formation of a national unity government, urging political parties to make concessions “like we did” in order to reach that end.

Khalil, speaking during a celebration in South Lebanon, said the new Cabinet should include the majority of political parties, where “calm and responsible rhetoric must be conducted away from individual interests.”

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said in a statement the UN headquarters in New York has organized for “separate meetings” between the new UNIFIL head of mission Major General Stefano Del Col and permanent representatives of Lebanon and Israel to the UN, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa Mikhail Bogdanov received yesterday in Moscow the personal representative of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, Georges Shaaban, Hariri’s media office said Thursday.

The Lebanese Forces party said the formation of the Cabinet has been delayed because of “domestic obstacles,” noting that quests to include a clause in the ministerial statement calling for naturalization of ties with Syria was what prompted Hariri to raise the "red card," the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Thursday.

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi on Wednesday voiced calls on Lebanese politicians to “center attention on public interest” in order to ease the obstacles hampering the government formation.