The General Security announced Wednesday that it has busted a Lebanese-Syrian prostitution ring in the Jounieh coastal area of Maameltein.

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that he will show cooperation at the governmental level, but stressed that he will go hand in hand with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh and PSP leader Walid Jumblat with regard to nomination of the upcoming new Prime Minister, al-Akhbar daily reported.
Well-informed sources told the daily “there is great positivity on Berri's part as he plans to name Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri for the post of premiership.”

The Maronite Bishops called on Wednesday for the formation of an efficient government and the stipulation of a fair election law after the election of a new president.
They congratulated newly elected President Michel Aoun, highly appreciating the efforts exerted by all parties to end the presidential vacuum.

Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat has asked to go alone to the binding parliamentary consultations to name a premier, and will not accompany the Mustaqbal bloc MPs to the presidential palace, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

MP Walid Jumblat assured on Wednesday that his parliamentary bloc will nominate al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri for the premiership post, As Safir daily reported.
“The Democratic Gathering bloc will name Hariri,” the Progressive Socialist Party leader told the daily, as he called for the formation of a “national unity government” that includes all political factions so that it is capable of confronting the challenges facing Lebanon.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday congratulated President Michel Aoun on his election during a phone call, wishing him success in his new national responsibilities, the presidency said in a statement.

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday welcomed the election of Michel Aoun as Lebanon's new president and said a new unity government and national elections next year would be critical for stability.
The council unanimously adopted the statement, a day after the 81-year-old former army chief was elected after four rounds of voting in parliament.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday congratulated President Michel Aoun on his election, stressing that Washington will maintain its support for the Lebanese army and urging a speedy formation of a new government, the presidency said in a statement.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem announced Tuesday that the election of a president after two and a half years of vacuum is a “victory for Lebanon,” as he hailed President Michel Aoun's oath of office as “patriotic and pro-independence par excellence.”
The Change and Reform bloc of President Michel Aoun announced Tuesday that all of its members will vote for ex-PM Saad Hariri in the binding parliamentary consultations to pick a new premier that will kick off on Wednesday.
