Cooperation between Lebanese and Swedish security authorities has resulted in the arrest of a major drug network that had been involved in smuggling cocaine between several countries, the Internal Security Forces announced Wednesday.

It said a 43-year-old Swedish man of Lebanese descent was arrested on January 2 at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his arrival from Brazil after he tried to smuggle 14 kilograms of pure cocaine into the country, noting that the quantity “would weigh 50 kilos after manufacturing.”

Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb stated on Wednesday that he will reveal his stance over Monday's Maarab meeting after carrying out the necessary consultations.

He said after holding talks with Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel: “We reject political extortion over the presidential elections.”

The Shin Bet said on Wednesday that Israeli forces thwarted a shooting attack in the Tulkarm area of the northern West Bank led by Palestinian Mahmoud Zaaloul who was directed by the son of Hizbullah leader Jawad Nasrallah, Israeli media reports stated.

Forces "apprehended a terror cell funded and guided by Hizbullah," an Israeli army statement said, adding the cell was "plotting a shooting attack".

General Security said on Wednesday that it has arrested a Lebanese and several Syrians on suspicion of belonging to a network linked to the Islamic State extremist group.

The directorate-general of the agency said in a communique that general security officers arrested the Lebanese and four Syrian members of the network for belonging to a terrorist group.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks with Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel on Wednesday as part of his meetings with the country's different factions to garner support for the candidacy of his father-in-law Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun for the presidency.

After meeting with Gemayel at Kataeb's headquarters in Beirut's Saifi district, Bassil hoped there would be “real partnership” among the Lebanese factions following Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of Aoun's candidacy on Monday.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam traveled to Brussels on Wednesday to hold talks with European Union President Donald Tusk and other top EU officials.

Salam's one day visit to the Belgian capital is aimed at discussing ways to improve cooperation between Lebanon and the EU and to set the stage for the Syria donors conference that is scheduled to be held in London next month.

Although Hizbullah has kicked of efforts to persuade Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh to withdraw from the presidential race following the Maarab rapprochement, reports said that the MP is adamant now to remain a candidate, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

Sources close to Franjieh said the Marada leader does not intend to take a “free withdrawal” from the presidential elections, and that he believes that the Maarab rapprochement is not a reason enough to make him believe that his chances are thinning, added the daily.

Al-Mustaqbal chief ex-PM Saad Hariri has informed his movement's officials that Saudi Arabia continues to veto the candidacy of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

Several officials, including al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Monday following Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of Aoun.

MP Henri Helou, who is the nominee of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, has said he would not withdraw his candidacy for the presidency following the deal struck between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Wednesday, Helou said he is still a presidential candidate.

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he would not announce his stance from Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun for the presidency before the picture becomes clear.

In remarks to his visitors, Berri said: “As the head of Amal Movement, I will bring together the leadership council and the Politburo when the picture becomes clearer to take the final stance from the presidency.”