Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that demonstrations and other forms of democratic expression are a right reserved by the constitution, reported As Safir newspaper on Wednesday in anticipation of scheduled protests by the supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement later in the day.

The minister told the daily: “Any lawful democratic action is allowed as long as it does not cause any problem or security unrest.”

A 72-hour ceasefire came into effect Wednesday between Islamist groups and pro-regime forces, including Hizbullah, in flashpoint towns in northwest Syria and along the border with Lebanon, a resident and monitoring group said.

"We really noticed that it was relatively calm this morning," Mohammad, a resident of the flashpoint town of Zabadani near Lebanon's border, told AFP.

A scuffle erupted Tuesday between bodyguards of Arab Tawhid Party chief ex-minister Wiam Wahhab and Lebanese General Security agents at the al-Arida border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, state-run National News Agency reported.

“As Wahhab's convoy was entering Lebanon from Syria through the al-Arida border crossing, a dispute and a scuffle broke out between the guards who were in his convoy and members of the General Security,” NNA said.

A clash erupted Tuesday between a number of Syrian workers and residents of the Hasbaya District town of al-Mari in the South, state-run National News Agency reported.

It said seven Syrians and two residents were injured in the scuffle that involved the use of rocks and batons.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday lauded a decision by Defense Minister Samir Moqbel to extend the terms of top military chiefs, as it slammed what it called “threats” and “shameful remarks” by Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun against the military institution.

“The bloc applauds the wise decision that was taken by the defense minister to delay the retirement of the army commander, the chief of staff and the secretary general of the Higher Defense Council, after the cabinet failed to approve the needed appointments in its latest session,” said Mustaqbal in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted Tuesday that he belongs to the axis “that has won the war in the Middle East,” as he called for demos on Wednesday to protest perceived marginalization of Christians in state institutions.

Aoun's remarks came several days after Defense Minister Samir Moqbel extended the the terms of the army commander, chief of staff and the head of the Higher Defense Council despite months of objections by the FPM, which rejects the extension of the tenures of high-ranking military and security officials.

Gunmen intercepted on Monday the convoy of a bishop who was traveling in his convoy from Bkirki to Deir al-Ahmar, reported the National News Agency.

It said that the assailants, riding in three vehicles, halted the convoy of Bishop Khalil Alwan and Father Elie Nasr to demand the release of a suspect held in a recent kidnapping case.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun has stayed mum on planned street protests against the extension of high-ranking military officers but stressed that he will "surprise" the people on his next step.

“You will see at the appropriate time and you will get surprised,” al-Joumhouria daily on Tuesday quoted Aoun as saying.

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas has said that Lebanon should benefit from a decision by al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front in Syria to withdraw from areas along the border with Turkey.

The move by al-Nusra Front came two weeks after Turkey began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria. Turkey also agreed to allow U.S. warplanes to use the strategic Incirlik Air Base for operations against IS in Syria.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif began a two-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday by meeting Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

“We discussed cooperation between the two countries and bilateral ties,” said Zarif after the Grand Serail talks.