General Security officers arrested on Wednesday wanted Salafist Sheikh Bilal Deqmaq at Rafik Hariri International Airport after his deportation from Turkey, reports said.

According to the National News Agency, Deqmaq, who is based in the northern city of Tripoli, was briefly detained on November 15 by Turkish authorities on charges of smuggling cash.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed regret on Wednesday that the state is decaying over the failure to elect a new head of state and expressed optimism on reaching an agreement with his rivals in the Free Patriotic Movement.

“In the absence of a president, the state is eroding bit by bit,” said Geagea during a press conference he held at his residence in Maarab, the same day MPs failed again to elect a new president.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour stressed on Wednesday that the unified prescription form is expected to create a qualitative change, lashing out at those who oppose it.

“We have expected some opposition, stubbornness and a controversy against the unified prescription form, but we should all stand one hand to lessen the burden on citizens,” Abou Faour said during a press conference from the parliament.

A delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with its leaders over the burden of refugees.

The delegation kicked off its visit by meeting with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil at the Bustros Palace.

The joint security force detained on Wednesday 11 Syrian nationals as it continued its crackdown on outlaws in the Bekaa Valley.

The state-run National News Agency reported that the residencies of the 11 Syrians, who are residing in the Bekaa town of Taybeh, have expired.

The head of the truckers syndicate warned on Wednesday that the drivers will take action after claiming workers resumed filling the controversial fourth basin at Beirut Port in violation of an agreement that they had reached with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

The warning of Naim Sawaya prompted work to stop, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said.

The Lebanese state reportedly rejected a Russian offer to deliver to the Lebanese Army TOS-1 heavy flamethrower systems.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Wednesday, Russian authorities expressed readiness, through direct and indirect channels, to deliver the multiple rocket launcher to Lebanon from a $1 billion Saudi donation.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq considered on Wednesday the extension of the term of officers as part of the ongoing malfunction at state institutions.

“If it is a must, then I'll visit (Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel) Aoun to discuss the issue,” Mashnouq said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

Speaker Nabih Berri downplayed the controversy on the latest speeches made by al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, saying the two parties will continue to engage in dialogue to take important decisions.

“We are done with the speeches of platforms and we will head to the dialogue aimed at taking decisions and implementing them,” Berri said in remarks published in several local dailies on Wednesday.

A U.S. diplomat underestimated Lebanon's decision to boycott a conference expected to be held in Washington after Beirut claimed that it cannot take part in a meeting to confront terrorism with the Jewish state's participation.

“Cooperation between the Lebanese and U.S. security agencies is ongoing,” the diplomatic source said in comments published in al-Liwaa newspaper on Wednesday.