Threats have been made against UN targets in Lebanon in recent weeks, the world body's outgoing envoy to the country said Thursday.

"There were some credible reports that were shared with us, the U.N., by the Lebanese army itself of potential threats" in past weeks, Michael Williams told a press conference at United Nations headquarters.

Twelve people at the mandatory vehicle inspection “mecanique” center in Hadath were wounded in an armed clash on Wednesday, reported Voice of Lebanon radio.

The clash erupted when one of the citizens, who had entered his car for inspection, found out that his vehicle had failed the test, it said

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Wednesday that the will to hold dialogue in Lebanon will always defeat security instability.

He said: “Despite the tensions, Lebanon is witnessing a period of monetary and security stability.”

Cabinet ministers defended the March 8-led government against critics who accused it of intentionally not issuing a statement against several incursions made by the Syrian army in Lebanese towns in the North and the eastern Bekaa valley.

Information Minister Walid Daouq told Free Lebanon radio that the government didn’t discuss the issue during its session on Wednesday “because it is being solved at the level of involved ministers.”

Lebanon is committed to providing shelter to Syrians fleeing the unrest in their country, Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Thursday, responding to concerns expressed by Washington.

"My approach to these refugees coming to Lebanon is purely humanitarian," Miqati told Agence France Presse, estimating their number at 5,000.

Syrian Salafists, who have escaped their country, are holding “secret” talks with Lebanese Christian officials to explain to them about their vision on a “civil, democratic and plural” state in Syria if President Bashar Assad’s regime collapses, informed sources said.

The sources told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published Thursday that the Salafists have so far held five meetings with Christian parties and Sunni leaderships.

Head of the General Labor Confederation Ghassan Ghosn announced on Thursday that the GLC was suspending its negotiations with the government over its demand for a salary boost after the state budget proposed by Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi called for a value added tax hike.

“This boycott is a warning message to the government ahead of studying the budget,” Ghosn told al-Jadid TV.

The cabinet avoided on Wednesday discussing the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri that is facing controversy over the March 8 forces’ rejection to pay Lebanon’s fees to the STL unless the is amended.

“Nothing has changed, and the funding will not be approved,” sources close to the March 8 forces told al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday.

Ministers loyal to Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun entered the cabinet session at Baabda palace on Wednesday wearing t-shirts in support of Jeita Grotto’s bid to become a new natural wonder.

The t-shirts read: “I voted for Jeita Grotto.”

The cabinet appointed former Minister Adnan Sayyed Hussein as the head of the Lebanese University on Wednesday despite reservations expressed by ministers loyal to Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.

Ministerial sources told An Nahar daily on Thursday that the reservation came over the political reasons that led to the appointment of Hizbullah’s candidate. Jumblat’s ministers said there were better academicians for the post.