The Lebanese army foiled overnight Sunday an incursion by militiamen on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek in the eastern Bekaa, the state-run National News Agency reported.

According to NNA, gunmen tried to infiltrate into Tallat al-Hamra area on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek but the army prevented them by shelling their positions using heavy and medium artillery.

Sheikh Mustafa al-Hujeiri stressed on Sunday that the case of Lebanese hostages will witness a breakthrough “soon” as Qatari-appointed negotiator Ahmed al-Khatib visited the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal last week.

Hujeiri, who is also known as Abu Taqiyeh, said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper that “a new course of action has been adopted to reach a breakthrough” in the negotiations between the Islamist gunmen and the Lebanese government.

The cabinet is expected to resume its meetings on February 26 after Prime Minister Tammam Salam suspended its sessions in light of political disputes between the various factions over the government's mechanism, al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Sunday.

The daily quoted ministerial sources as saying that the cabinet will convene on Thursday, however, the session's agenda hasn't been distributed yet.

Security Forces detained one of the most dangerous fugitives in the eastern Bekaa city of Baalbek as a crackdown on outlaws continued in the area.

The state-run National News Agency reported on Sunday that the Internal Security Forces arrested 49-year-old Gh. W. at Habib Street in the city of Baalbek.

Speaker Nabih Berri lauded on Sunday a meeting held with al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri, describing talks as “fruitful.”

“We discussed endeavors to safeguard the country and the election of a new head of state,” Berri said in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb criticized on Sunday endeavors that aim at appointing a new commander for the Lebanese army amid the presidential vacuum.

“We are prohibited from appointing a new army chief and impose it on any new head of state without him having a say in the decision,” Harb lamented in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stated that defense strategies all over the world include articles on criminalizing fighting outside of home soil, adding that he is seeking to devise an article on this matter for Lebanon's strategy, reported Kuwait's al-Rai newspaper.

He told the daily in an interview set be published on Sunday: “I insist on criminalizing any fighting of Lebanese, whether they be Hizbullah or anyone else, on foreign soil.”

Head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora stressed on Saturday the need to respect the constitution and avoid violating, while rejecting the “approval of new practices that would create confusion at cabinet.”

He said during a seminar in the southern city of Sidon: “Such measures have already rendered the government incapable of exercising its duties towards the citizens.”

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel justified on Saturday his decision to extend the term of Higher Defense Council chief Mohammed Khair, saying he did it out of the interest of the military institution, reported the daily An Nahar.

He told the daily: “I took the decision out of my personal convictions and keenness to safeguard the functioning of the military institution at this critical time.”

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan described his meeting with Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea as “friendly and frank” in dealing with issues of contention between the two rival sides, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

He told the daily: “Contacts are ongoing and constant between the two sides and this is a critical phase in the talks.”