Civil society on Tuesday called on Lebanese authorities to “immediately stop the deportation” of Palestinian refugees fleeing war-stricken Syria.

Eight non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights signed a petition urging Lebanese authorities to “immediately stop deporting (Palestinian refugees) to Syria,” reported the state-run National News Agency.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam concluded on Tuesday a visit to Saudi Arabia during which he was assured by officials that the kingdom seeks the election of a new Lebanese president.

He said during a press conference at the end of his trip: “The kingdom hopes that Lebanon will elect a president, saying this is a purely Lebanese affair.”

An Iraqi national was arrested on Tuesday on charges of carrying out terrorist activities, announced the Army Command in a statement.

It said that Imad Fawzi Ali al-Saadi was arrested in Beirut's southern suburb of Haret Hreik.

Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi noted on Tuesday positive signs that the presidential elections will be held, reported the National News Agency.

He said: “We hope the Lebanese parties will reach an agreement over a presidential candidate and elect him as soon as possible.”

A military expert defused on Tuesday a grenade found in a residential neighborhood in the Shouf town of Rmeileh, the army and the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said the grenade was attached to a detonator and placed near a gasoline gallon.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly rejected the nomination of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun for the presidency, expressing fear over his “hidden intentions.”

Informed Lebanese sources told As Safir newspaper published on Tuesday that Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal informed local and foreign officials that he refuses to adopt the candidacy of Aoun.

Eight soldiers were injured at dawn Tuesday when their patrol came under an armed attack in the northern city of Tripoli, the military announced.

It said in a communique that soldiers were carrying out raids to arrest the assailants.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed hope that political arch-foes would elect a “made in Lebanon” president, hailing the stances of Saudi Arabia to support Lebanon in all its critical phases.

“The presidential election is a local affair,” Salam, who is currently on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, told An Nahar newspaper published on Tuesday.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea reiterated readiness to withdraw his candidacy from the presidency in favor of another March 14 candidate, expressing belief that Thursday's parliamentary session will be similar to its predecessors.

“I am not holding onto anything personal at all,” Geagea said in an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Tuesday.

Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a speech on Sunday that coincides with the end of President Michel Suleiman's tenure.

According to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Tuesday, Nasrallah will make a televised speech at 5:30 pm on the occasion of the Resistance and Liberation day that commemorates the Israeli army’s withdrawal from south Lebanon in May 2000.