Militant Ahmed Salim Miqati, who was arrested during an army raid in the town of Asoun in the northern district of Dinniyeh, and 12 members of his terrorist cell, had plans to execute violent attacks on the 27th of Oct against Ashura gatherings in several Shiite Lebanese areas, media reports said.

The cell that includes Miqati, 5 Lebanese and 7 Syrian nationals had plans to move from Tripoli to Beirut. Another terrorist cell was meant to join them from the Burj al-Barajneh and the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp to help execute suicidal terrorist attacks against Shiite gatherings in the southern suburb of Beirut, Nabatieh and Lassa in Jbeil.

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari expressed doubt on Saturday that the presidential elections would be held in 2014, expecting that lawmakers will link the extension of the parliamentary tenure with the vacuum at the Baabda Palace.

“Extending the term of the parliament is a temporary solution until a new head of state is elected,” Makari said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

The Lebanese security forces are preparing for an assault against sleeper cells planted in delicate areas across the country amid reports saying that soldiers who recently defected from the army are still on Lebanese territories.

Security sources said in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that the army will raid several regions across Lebanon to destroy small groups planning to carry out delicate security acts in the capital Beirut, Beirut's Southern Suburbs and the Bekaa.

Hizbullah and AMAL movement are taking maximum security measures and precautions to ensure the safety of mourners commemorating the occasion of Ashura that begins on October 25.

The two Shiite parties decided not to minimize their Ashura congregations and processions despite the rising security fears, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Saturday.

Al-Nusra Front warned on Saturday that the case of abducted soldiers and policemen became a political tool that the government is using to take the Lebanese people into the abyss.

“The Lebanese cabinet is exploiting the case and will lead the country into the abyss,” al-Nusra Front said via it's account on Twitter.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri had said recently that Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's chances to reach the Baabda Palace faded away.

Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Saturday that Hariri informed Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel that Geagea will not reach the presidential palace in Baabda.

Fierce clashes erupted Friday evening in the northern city of Tripoli, leaving at least eight army troops, including a first lieutenant, and several gunmen and civilians wounded.

Meanwhile, al-Jadeed TV said 15 people were injured, including eight troops. It said the army's casualties include a first lieutenant who was “critically wounded.”

DNA tests have confirmed that the scorched body at the raided Dinniyeh apartment is that of defected soldier Abdul Qader al-Akkoumi, the army announced on Friday, as preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested dangerous militant Ahmed Salim Miqati had been “communicating” with al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled al-Daher.

Army intelligence agents on Thursday raided an apartment in the town of Asoun in the northern district of Dinniyeh, which was inhabited by a “group of terrorists,” killing three gunmen and apprehending a fugitive.

A son of Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon on Friday filed a slander lawsuit against MP Nicolas Fattoush after the latter revealed in a news conference that he had submitted an “adultery” suit against the minister.

Meanwhile, LBCI television said “the Beirut Bar Association has removed the name of MP Nicolas Fattoush from its list of lawyers,” after the lawmaker lashed out at the head of the association George Jreij during the same televised speech.

Army chief General Jean Qahwaji briefed Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Friday on the details of the latest Dinniyeh raid, which led to the arrest and death of dangerous gunmen.

Qahwaji discussed in his visit to the Grand Serail “the security developments and efforts exerted by the army to fight terrorism in the country,” said the National News Agency.