President Michel Suleiman called on Wednesday for increasing the penalties imposed on those who are violating the “food safety” measures and endangering public safety.

“The issue should be treated on all levels,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq quoted Suleiman as saying.

President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday lauded “the efforts exerted by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to preserve the free Christian presence in the Levant as a message of culture, interaction and dialogue that has characterized this region throughout the ages,” stressing the importance of “his support for democracy away from unilateralism, violence and extremism.”

Following talks with Patriarchal Vicar General Roland Abu Jaoude and a group of bishops, Suleiman said: “We support what the patriarch is doing at the level of the church and its renewal and concerning his keenness on minorities in general and especially the Christian minority.”

President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri are exerting efforts to make Beirut a permanent base for dialogue among religions and different confessions, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The two tackled the measures to be taken concerning the matter during a meeting on Monday at the Baabda Palace.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati confirmed on Monday that the Lebanese army had busted a cell within its ranks planning attacks on military barracks.

In remarks to reporters at the Grand Serail, Miqati said: “The Lebanese army uncovered a terrorist cell that was planning an attack on its barracks and is carrying out the necessary investigation.”

President Michel Suleiman urged Arab businessmen on Monday to improve the Arab job market to provide better opportunities for the region’s youth.

On the 60th anniversary of the establishment of General Union of Arab Chambers, Suleiman said social growth and personal liberties are a guarantee to develop freedom and justice.

Lebanon decided not to join a meeting set to discuss support for the Syrian regime, which is expected to be held in the upcoming few days in Tehran, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported on Monday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry invited Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria to join the conference on March 18. However, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, who received the invitation from his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi, decided not to participate after discussions with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

The appointments of top civil servants in state posts remained a point of contention between President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun, As Safir newspaper reported on Monday.

The daily noted that despite the “optimistic” reports on the issue, the dispute hasn’t been resolved yet.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati called for an emergency meeting at the Grand Serail to tackle the rise in the discovery of spoiled food products in Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper reported on Monday.

Miqati in coordination with Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas sought to hold a meeting on Wednesday with Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and high-ranking officials from the general security, the state security, the army intelligence and the customs.

President Michel Suleiman slammed on Saturday the rise in the discovery of spoiled food products in Lebanon, deeming such cases as “unacceptable.”

He said: “No political cover will be provided to anyone who harms the citizens’ health.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated that the proposals on government spending made at cabinet on Friday are not final suggestions on the matter, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

He told the daily: “Efforts are underway to reach a final formula that includes all sides’ views on the matter.”