Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab toured the northern military zone in Tripoli’s al-Qobbeh where he met with senior officers, Mufti of Tripoli and senior political figures, the National News Agency reported on Saturday.

The Israeli security measures on the border with Lebanon “do not indicate an imminent military operation,” but may be part of precautionary security measures adopted by the occupation forces, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Saturday.

Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan on Friday warned that “it is dangerous to exploit a terrorist crime for sectarian and political incitement,” in reference to the deadly Tripoli attack on security forces by an Islamic State-influenced militant.

Speaking at a press conference, al-Hassan said the gunman, Abdul Rahman Mabsout, roamed Tripoli’s streets on a motorbike after leaving his house carrying six hand grenades and a machinegun.

An exchange of tirades broke out Friday between the Progressive Socialist Party and al-Mustaqbal Movement over the municipality of the Sunni-majority Chouf town of Chehim and actions by Mt. Lebanon's pro-Mustaqbal governor.

President Michel Aoun on Thursday announced that Lebanon's Christians are “seeking to preserve balance” in the country.

“We in Lebanon are living together as Christians and Muslims, and as Christians we are always seeking to preserve balance, especially that we are living difficult circumstances resulting from the war in the region,” Aoun told Serbia's Greek Orthodox Patriarch Irinej during a meeting in Baabda.

Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed Thursday that there should be “accountability” and that “the truth should be unveiled” regarding the 2017 release from jail of Islamic State militant Abdul Rahman Mabsout, who carried out Monday's deadly attack in Tripoli.

Speaking to reporters after offering condolences to the family of slain army officer Hassan Farhat in the southern town of Baraashit, Bou Saab said he promised Farhat's father that he “will not remain silent” or “conceal anything.”

Around 700 displaced Syrians have evacuated their encampment near the Bekaa town of Deir al-Ahmar after some of them clashed with Civil Defense firefighters, media reports said.

Several firefighters were injured and the windows of their vehicle were smashed during the incident.

Israeli forces on Thursday installed a device on a transmission pole near the al-Abbad military post facing the southern border town of Houla, Marjeyoun district, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

MP Mohammed al-Hajjar of al-Mustaqbal bloc noted Thursday that the settlement between Mustaqbal Movement and the Free Patriotic Movement has led to “a lot of achievements,” amid a major deterioration in ties between the two movements.

Hajjar reminded of the electoral law, the parliamentary elections, the formation of the government and the approval of the state budget, in an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio (100.3-100.5).

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Wednesday warned that Lebanon’s leaders are “undermining the foundations of the strong state.”

“We in Lebanon have political conflicts that turn into sectarian ones and distort the culture of the National Pact, coexistence and the formula of balanced partnership in power and administration,” al-Rahi lamented.