Newly-appointed Army Commander General Joseph Aoun assured on Friday that the army's efforts to fight terrorism will continue, and its endeavors to release the kidnapped servicemen will not stop.

Aoun's comments came in his Order of the Day on the occasion of his appointment as Army chief replacing General Jean Qahwaji, he said: “The new (presidential) term depends on the role of your institution to provide a comprehensive and sustainable security and stability, so be ready to continue the war against terrorism with all the power you have got.

Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres denounced in a periodic report on the implementation of resolution 1701, the recent statements made by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah against Israel, rejecting “deterrence” justifications which “increases the risk of tension and could lead to renewed war,” An Nahar daily reported on Friday.

The report encouraged President Michel Aoun to resume national dialogue among political parties until a defense strategy is agreed to remove weaponry from Hizbullah and other armed groups, according to the daily.

The Kremlin denied on Thursday media reports alleging that Moscow has approved the launch of Israeli operations against Hizbullah from Syria's airspace, media reports said.

A spokesman on behalf of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, stressed that the issue has not been raised in the context of the Russian and Israeli communications, they said.

A Palestinian man wounded during Wednesday's armed clashes in Tripoli's al-Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon, has succumbed to his wounds, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

NNA said the victim, identified as Nemr Sh., was wounded during an armed fight and transported to al-Qobbeh Hospital in Tripoli a day earlier has died on Thursday.

Following a tour he made where he visited several Arab and Gulf countries after his election in October, President Michel Aoun is expected to launch visits to European countries that will start in the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

The President will travel to the Vatican on March 15 and will hold the meeting with the Pope on March 16, NNA said.

The cabinet convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace and approved a list of security, military and judicial appointments, including the appointment of General Joseph Aoun as army commander.

President Michel Aoun chaired the meeting in the presence of PM Saad Hariri and the ministers.

President Michel Aoun stressed on Wednesday on the need to eliminate legal differences between men and women in Lebanon, as he praised women's “sacrifices and devotion,” the National News Agency reported.

At the Baabda Palace, Aoun received a delegation from the Lebanese Women Council on the occasion of International Women's Day in the presence of First Lady Nadi Chami Aoun, NNA said.

Twelve Syrian nationals have been arrested on Wednesday in the northern area of Zgharta for illegal entry into Lebanon, the State-run National News Agency reported.

Lebanese army patrol staged raids against encampments of Syrian refugees in the Zgharta town of Mezyara, and arrested 12 Syrians for sneaking into Lebanese territories, said NNA.

President Michel Aoun is expected to issue a statement to resolve the controversy over refraining from signing a decree inviting the electorate bodies to begin preparations for the looming parliamentary polls, and the interpretations that spread about his “preference for vacuum at the parliament,” al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of the Presidency will issue the statement that includes the President's position after he refused to sign a decree --signed by Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq-- that initiates preparations for the parliamentary elections due in May in order to avoid staging the polls based on the current controversial 1960 majoritarian law.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Tuesday at the Oil and Gas Forum that the government plans to successfully transform Lebanon's natural resources wealth into sustained economic growth.