The Progressive Socialist Party submitted on Thursday an appeal before the State Shura Council contesting a naturalization decree granting Lebanese nationality to foreigners.

Caretaker Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf held talks on his third and final day in France with his French counterpart Florence Parly, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

Speaker Nabih Berri said he is not ready this time to abandon any part of his AMAL Movement share in the new government, affirming that the party and Hizbullah will distribute the six-seat Shiite share equally between them, al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Wednesday that it is “premature” to talk about the possibility of Hizbullah's withdrawal from Syria.

“Hizbullah is an essential element in this war and the battle is long and the need for these military forces will continue for a long time,” Assad told Iran's al-Alam TV when asked whether Damascus has asked Hizbullah to pull its forces out of the country.

After a controversial decision that Lebanon will freeze residency permits for U.N. refugee staff, caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil visited the refugee-crowded town of Arsal where he stressed the need for “safe and rapid return” of Syrian refugees.

The names of 40 individuals included in a controversial naturalization decree have been proven “unqualified to be granted the Lebanese nationality,” MTV channel said on Wednesday.

President Michel has reportedly refused a Cabinet lineup draft allocating nine ministerial portfolios instead of ten as a joint share between the Free Patriotic Movement and the president, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

The U.N. refugee agency on Tuesday urged Lebanon to reverse a decision to block residency permits for its international staffers following a spat over Syrians displaced by the war. 

The body of a dead woman was found on Tuesday lying near al-Fidar Bridge to the south of the northern city of Jbeil, the National News Agency reported.

NNA said the female, 24 years, was identified with her initials as G.A. and hails from the town of Mazboud in Mount Lebanon's Iqlim al-Kharroub region.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri will be flying to Russia on Thursday to participate in the 2018 World Cup opening ceremony where he is expected to hold “significant meetings” with several state heads on the sidelines of the event, media reports said Tuesday.

Unnamed sources told al-Joumhouria daily that the premier is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Asian and European leaders while in Moscow.