President Michel Aoun held talks on Monday with Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq who assured that 70 percent of the preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections are now complete.

Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh on Monday said the parliamentary elections in Lebanon remain at risk shall major developments in the region take place, noting that political dispute over the electricity file could bring everything to a halt including the upcoming polls.

“The parliamentary elections remain threatened by any major development in the region, but the scenario of a “great war” is ruled out. What is happening in Syria in Afrin and in al-Ghouta is more indicative of deals than wars,” Hamadeh told VDL (93.3) in an interview.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat urged the energy ministry on Monday to implement “confinement” against Debbas Group, an Electricite Du Liban contractor, after failing to pay the salaries of its employees for over three months.

“Amidst the indifference of EDL officials and of Debbas Group, the staff have arrived at a state of hunger due to unpaid salaries for three months. I call on the Ministry of Energy to put the company in confinement,” said Jumblat in a tweet.

Senior Hizbullah official Sheikh Nabil Qaouq accused Saudi Arabia of “interfering in Lebanon's affairs and inciting the Lebanese against each other,” the National News Agency reported on Saturday.

“Saudi Arabia's latest interference in Lebanon's internal affairs is embodied in interference in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. Saudi interventions are inciting the Lebanese against each other and restoring divisions and political tension among them,” claimed Qaouq.

In a demonstration of support for the Lebanese army and security agencies, Russia has announced at the Rome II Conference that it will provide “part of military products to Lebanon at no charge,” emphasizing the necessity to boost the army's combat abilities, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

“Moscow considers essential the contribution to strengthening the combat capabilities of the Lebanese army and internal security forces, which are responsible for the security and stability of the country,” Russian special envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said at the conference.

Unknown assailants assassinated a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces at dawn on Saturday in the Palestinian refugee camp of Mieh Mieh in the southern city of Sidon, the National News Agency reported.

Cautious calm prevailed in the camp early in the morning, while UNRWA schools and shops closed their doors in anticipation of any security reaction, said NNA.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Friday expressed sorrow over the suffering of Syrians in their war-torn country, saying that international powers are “struggling and negotiating at the expense of the Syrian people.”

“The Syrian people tragedy may be one of the greatest tragedies of so-called humanity in modern history,” said Jumblat in a tweet.

Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan praised the “efforts of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for upholding stability in Lebanon,” the National News Agency reported on Friday.

Deryan's remarks came during a meeting he held at Dar al-Fatwa with the UAE ambassador Hamad al-Shamsi, Saudi Chargé d'Affaires Walid al-Bukhari, and Minister of State for Displaced Affairs Moein Merhebi.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah lashed out at those criticizing Hizbullah's electoral list in Hermel-Baalbek district, calling them allies of the extremist groups the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, the National News Agency reported on Friday.

Urging Hizbullah supporters in Baalbek-Hermel region for “massive participation” in the upcoming parliamentary elections, he said in an internal meeting with them: “I will personally roam its villages, cities and neighborhoods to make sure the list succeeds, even if that puts me at risk,” said NNA.

On the sidelines of the Rome II Conference, Lebanese Army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun attended a meeting with the Italian military commanders where he gave a detailed presentation on the needs of the army, which the Italian side "responded greatly" to its combat needs, al-Joumhuria daily reported Friday.