The Israeli army on Wednesday carried out a live ammunition maneuver in the occupied Shebaa Farms, Lebanon's National News Agency said.

“The Israeli army has been conducting a live ammo drill inside the occupied Shebaa Farms since 5:00 pm,” NNA reported in the evening.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi renewed on Wednesday his sharp criticism over the political forces' failure to elect a president for the country, rejecting any talk of trilateral power-sharing between the major sects.

“There is talk nowadays about a constituent assembly and we reject from this moment any debate over trilateral power-sharing … because that would be a violation of the (1943 National) Pact,” said al-Rahi during a dinner hosted by the Maronite parish in the Australian city of Adelaide.

Army chief General Jean Qahwaji on Wednesday reassured “there will be no bargaining at the expense of the blood of the martyrs” who fell in the northern regions of Tripoli and Minieh, stressing that the fugitive gunmen will be arrested “no matter how long it takes.”

“The martyrs and the injured soldiers' blood will not go in vain," said Qahwaji during a visit to the Aley district, where he offered condolences to the families of slain officers Jihad al-Habr and Firas al-Hakim, who were killed in the latest clashes in the North.

The army pressed on with its crackdown in the southern city of Sidon on Wednesday, arresting a dangerous fugitives and seizing landmines that turned out to be obsolete.

"A number of assault rifles and their ammunition in addition to military equipment and parts of 6 anti-vehicle landmines were seized during a raid in Siroub, Sidon," the army said in a statement.

The March 14 forces on Wednesday called on Hizbullah to put an end to “the duality of two armies and two decisions in one country,” noting that attempts to “label the Lebanese as supporters and critics of the army” were refuted by the latest Tripoli battle.

“The national solidarity with the army, especially by the residents of Tripoli, Dinniyeh, Minieh and Akkar, has proved once again how much these regions are committed to Lebanon as an irreversible choice,” the March 14 General Secretariat said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

Two brawls erupted Wednesday at the Notre Dame University in Louaize between students belonging to the Lebanese Forces and others from the Free Patriotic Movement.

LBCI television said the two-phase clash broke out over the issue of “raising electoral banners, two days ahead of the scheduled student elections at NDU.”

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri slammed on Wednesday statements that would cause contention with regional countries, calling on Lebanese politicians to avoid stances that harm the national interests.

“We urge all sides to be reasonable and avert rifts with nearby countries,” Asiri told reporters after talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

Lawmakers failed on Wednesday for the fifteenth time to elect a new president over a lack of quorum at parliament.

The next elections session has been scheduled for November 19.

A number of Syrians were arrested on Wednesday during security raids in the Chouf region in Mount Lebanon and the northeastern border area of Arsal.

State security forces announced that they had arrested two days ago 12 Syrians, who confessed to taking part in the clashes with the army in August, reported LBCI television.

Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel held talks on Wednesday with Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun, a day after meeting with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Gemayel described his meeting with Aoun as “excellent,” pointing out that the circumstances compelled him to head to Rabieh.