Speaker Nabih Berri said the Lebanese face a crucial stage until the year's end and must drive lessons from the regional happenings which compel them to focus on their country's interest and end the political and institutional crisis, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

“A crucial stage awaits us until the end of the year and it compels the Lebanese to prioritize an overall solution and to drive lessons from the regional happenings obligating them to turn their attention to their country's interest,” Berri told his visitors.

Hizbullah on Thursday condemned Israel's construction of roads in areas near the occupied Shebaa Farms as a “dangerous violation” of Lebanon's sovereignty.

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Thursday inspected military units in the southern regions of Tyre and Marjeyoun and vowed that the army will confront “any Israeli attack.”

Four Czechs who were kidnapped in Lebanon last year are suing the Czech Republic for financial compensation, arguing that if the country’s intelligence services had been better coordinated they may never have had to endure a grueling period of captivity, state-run Radio Prague reported on Thursday.

Kataeb party chief MP Sami Gemayel stressed on Thursday that establishing a landfill in Bourj Hammoud region will trigger the emission of poisonous gases and smoke that will affect the whole area around it for the next two decades.

“The mountain of garbage in Bourj Hammoud must be addressed because it will emit poisonous gases and smoke for the next twenty years,” said Gemayel in a press conference.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam chaired a cabinet meeting on Thursday at the Grand Serail that failed to reach an agreement over the thorny issue of military appointments.

A hand grenade exploded at dawn on Thursday in the southern Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh without causing any causalities, the state-run National News Agency reported.

An unknown assailant tossed the grenade at the at the intersection of al-Fawqani street's vegetable market, NNA said.

The Free Patriotic Movement will facilitate the appointment of a successor to Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir whose term ends on August 21, al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

“We have decided to facilitate the road in front of the appointment of a successor to Maj. Gen. Kheir during the cabinet session that will be held on Thursday,” FPM sources told the daily.

The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army on Wednesday concluded Resolute Response 2016, an annual, bilateral military exercise with the Lebanese army involving explosive ordnance disposal, diving exercises, and maritime vessel visit, board, search and seizure procedures, the U.S. Embassy said.

An explosive device was discovered on Wednesday in the restive northeastern border town of Arsal, state-run National News Agency reported.