Lebanese Forces leader and presidential candidate Samir Geagea on Tuesday announced that he stands “at the same distance” from all political parties, including Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement, while accusing FPM's supporters of twisting his remarks about his meeting with former premier Saad Hariri.

“I don't think I was misunderstood, but some parties deliberately interpreted my remarks in that manner, as (FPM chief) General (Michel) Aoun's supporters are really wishing to obtain the support of the March 14 forces and ex-PM Hariri for their candidate and they're hoping Aoun will be elected president,” Geagea said in an interview in Paris with Radio Orient.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi appointed on Tuesday a new judicial investigator into the disappearance of revered spiritual leader Imam Moussa al-Sadr.

"In response to his request, Judge Samih al-Hajj has been exempted from looking into the case as an investigator at the Judicial Council,” Rifi announced in a released statement.

The Democratic Gathering stressed on Tuesday the importance of dialogue among the rival political parties to avert vacuum in the presidency.

It called for confronting the obstruction of presidential election sessions, while voicing its commitment to the nomination of its member MP Henri Helou to the presidency.

Former Minister Salim Jreissati announced on Tuesday that the Change and Reform bloc MPs would not attend Thursday's session at the parliament to elect a new president if the same circumstances surrounding talks on the anticipated vote persisted.

“If the same circumstances persist, we will not attend Thursday's parliamentary session,” Jreissati said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting.

Customs announced on Tuesday that it confiscated thousands of captagon pills and raided a warehouse containing expired food during two separate operations in April, reported the National News Agency.

On April 14, 400,000 captagon pills were found hidden in agricultural equipment that were prepared to be shipped to Saudi Arabia.

Civil society on Tuesday called on Lebanese authorities to “immediately stop the deportation” of Palestinian refugees fleeing war-stricken Syria.

Eight non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights signed a petition urging Lebanese authorities to “immediately stop deporting (Palestinian refugees) to Syria,” reported the state-run National News Agency.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam concluded on Tuesday a visit to Saudi Arabia during which he was assured by officials that the kingdom seeks the election of a new Lebanese president.

He said during a press conference at the end of his trip: “The kingdom hopes that Lebanon will elect a president, saying this is a purely Lebanese affair.”

An Iraqi national was arrested on Tuesday on charges of carrying out terrorist activities, announced the Army Command in a statement.

It said that Imad Fawzi Ali al-Saadi was arrested in Beirut's southern suburb of Haret Hreik.

Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi noted on Tuesday positive signs that the presidential elections will be held, reported the National News Agency.

He said: “We hope the Lebanese parties will reach an agreement over a presidential candidate and elect him as soon as possible.”

A military expert defused on Tuesday a grenade found in a residential neighborhood in the Shouf town of Rmeileh, the army and the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said the grenade was attached to a detonator and placed near a gasoline gallon.