Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun held talks on Tuesday with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat at his residence in Clemenceau.

The two officials held a bilateral meeting behind closed doors.

Fighters linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Syrian al-Qalamoun are reportedly mobilizing and moving closer to the border with Lebanon ahead of a battle along the country's eastern border.

Lebanese and Syrian security sources said in comments published on Tuesday in al-Akhbar newspaper that ISIL fighters are moving “from eastern al-Qalamoun to its west” in preparation for a battle in the area in the spring after the snow melts.

Ministers refused on Tuesday to comment on the possible extension of the terms of high-ranking security officials, citing the delicate situation that the country is passing through.

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel refused to comment to As Safir newspaper on the thorny matter, saying: “I will not enter in any political rhetoric amid the current circumstances, which everyone realizes their sensitivity.”

Speaker Nabih Berri has said he holds onto the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement despite the latest exchange of accusations between the two parties' officials.

Al-Liwaa daily on Tuesday quoted sources close to Berri as saying that the eight round of talks would be held under his sponsorship in Ain el-Tineh on Wednesday unless it was delayed for some reason.

French officials are keen to press the Lebanese rivals to reach a settlement regarding the presidential standstill within a comprehensive package, As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday.

According to the daily, visitors of the Elysee Palace said that France is seeking to resolve the crises that are weakening the Lebanese political system.

Several militants were killed Monday evening as the Lebanese army foiled an infiltration attempt into the Bekaa border town of Arsal, following clashes at noon in the outskirts of the border town of Ras Baalbek.

“The Lebanese army thwarted an infiltration attempt in at Wadi Hmeid's checkpoint in Arsal, killing and wounded several militants,” state-run National News Agency reported.

Al-Mustaqbal movement responded Monday to Hizbullah's fierce criticism of the March 14 camp over its declaration of the formation of a National Council.

“We hope MP Mohammed Raad's remarks on dialogue were hasty or a slip of the tongue,” Mustaqbal bloc MP Samir al-Jisr said in remarks to MTV.

The Kataeb Party called Monday for ending “reasons and excuses that threaten the jobs and lives of Lebanese citizens working in Gulf states,” as it warned that “keeping the country without a president will paralyze the political system.”

“The party calls for withdrawing all reasons and excuses that threaten the jobs and lives of Lebanese citizens working in Gulf states and deprive them of their active role in the rise and prosperity of these countries,” said Kataeb in a statement issued after its politburo's weekly meeting.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour decided on Monday after the recurrent death cases in hospitals in the northern district of Akkar to transfer LL1 billion to Abdullah al-Rasi Public Hospital in Halba.

The state-run National News Agency reported that Abou Faour decided to lower the financial aid in contracts with private hospitals in Akkar and transfer the money, which amounts to LL1 billion, to Abdullah al-Rasi Public Hospital.

Armed forces have arrested a defected Syrian army officer for running a weapons smuggling network in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Media reports said Ahmed Ibrahim Kabbar was apprehended five days ago in the town of Fekha.