Lebanese Forces sources stressed on Wednesday that the obstacles hampering the formation of a new cabinet stem from intentions of some parties to prevent President Michel Aoun from practicing his role to establish a strong State, al-Joumhouria daily reported.

“The current crisis to line up a cabinet goes beyond conflicts over ministerial portfolios. It stems from a strategic nature linked to preventing President Michel Aoun from an attempt to build a State,” LF sources told the daily.

President Michel Aoun is not pleased with the stalled efforts to form a new government one month after his election and is mulling the formation of a "realistic" cabinet shall the process witness further stalemates, media reports said Wednesday..

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said on Tuesday that the Lebanese government must look into improving the employment opportunities for the youth to build human capabilities, and to maintain Lebanon's “special” position in the region and world.

“I believe that one of the most important responsibilities of the state now is to improve employment opportunities for young men and women in Lebanon, and to create a climate of confidence and hope for the younger generation, which is the future of our country,” said Hariri at the opening of the Outreach and Leadership Academy (OLA) in Beirut downtown.

A gang comprised of three Lebanese nationals tied to a rash of car thefts was arrested by law enforcement police in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Internal Security Forces said in a statement on Tuesday.

Police units carried out a raid in the southern suburb of Hay el-Sellom over the weekend where the suspects were meeting. The assailants opened fire at the police officers which compelled them to respond, added NNA.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that a prolonged delay in the government formation process imperils stipulating a new electoral law that helps hold the parliamentary elections on time, al-Joumhouria daily reported Monday.

Berri had voiced warnings in front of his visitors that he has not been informed of any positive developments as for the efforts exerted to facilitate the difficulties hampering the formation, according to the daily.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is expected to visit Beirut next week carrying a message of congratulations from Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan to newly elected President Michel Aoun, and to highlight the latest developments of concern for both countries following his latest visit to Iran, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

The delay in lining up a cabinet as the result of wrangling over specific ministerial portfolios, raises fears about the fate of a new electoral law that is supposed to be agreed among political parties in order to hold the parliamentary elections slated for May, al-Joumhouria daily said on Monday.

Several political parties are adamant to be given certain portfolios in the new government which is hampering the efforts of PM-designate Saad Hariri to form one. The daily questioned the motives behind the unwavering positions and said that it raises fears as for the fate of the electoral law and the parliamentary elections that are supposed to be held in May.

Hizbullah has hailed late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, whose death was announced on Saturday, as a “historic symbol.”

After denunciations following a decision to build a wall near the country's largest Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, the Lebanese army assured that it is aimed at preventing jihadists from infiltrating the country.

“In explanation of what has recently been circulating about the establishment of a separation wall in the vicinity of Ain el-Hilweh, the Army Command assured that there is no decision to establish this wall between the camp and its surrounding,” the Army Command Orientation Directorate said in a statement on Friday.

President Michel Aoun praised the Lebanese army's efforts on Friday after clamping down on an Islamic State terror group in Arsal and detaining several militants including an IS commander, the National News Agency reported.

The President hailed the “pre-emptive security operation” carried out by the army early on Friday in Arsal near the Lebanese-Syrian border, NNA said.