Speaker Nabih Berri concluded his visit to Romania after holding a series of talks with Romanian officials where he assured Lebanon's ability to overcome the political and economic crises.

“I would like to assure you and assure the Lebanese community in Romania that Lebanon will be able to overcome its political and economic crises despite the difficulties it is facing,” said Berri at a dinner banquet attended by Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

The Internal Security Forces arrested in Baalbek on Thursday a policeman after he was caught on camera stealing cars and then reselling them to dealers, the state-run National News Agency said.

The officer, who serves at one of the police stations west of the Baalbek villages was caught stealing cars on one of the surveillance cameras.

A Lebanese family that sought to travel abroad looking for better living conditions lost seven of its members at sea while two other members remain missing until the moment, the National News Agency said on Thursday.

Seven of the Safwan family drowned at sea on board of an inflatable boat that was heading its way from Turkey to Greece, NNA added.

Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan urged the rival political leaders attending the national dialogue sessions not to leave their meetings before they elect a new president.

“Do not leave your dialogue sessions unless you consensually agree on electing a new head of state,” Daryan said addressing the interlocutors of the national dialogue during a speech marking the New Islamic Year.

Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz is set to leave his headquarters in Roumieh on Tuesday for his successor Maroun al-Qobayati a day early as his term ends on October 15, following an official holiday.

The official handover ceremony between Roukoz and Qobayati will not be held this year, and Roukoz is scheduled to visit the ministry of defense where he will hold a meeting with Army Commander Jean Qahwaji and several other officers.

Lebanese officials have ruled out a rise in the number of Syrian refugees after Moscow entered Syria's multi-faceted civil war last month.

The officials, who were not identified, told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that it was highly unlikely for more Syrians to seek safety in Lebanon over the air strikes carried out by Russia to help the Syrian regime.

The Lebanese army has gone on alert along the border with Syria and inside Lebanese territories after Russian jets intensified their airstrikes in central Syria and Hizbullah got more involved in the country's war.

A security source told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that terrorist groups taking refuge in the border area are making suspicious moves.

Head of the Public Relations division of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) Lt. Col. Joseph Msallam said on Saturday that freedom of expression is a righteous demand only if it is practiced under the law.

“We believe in freedom of expression which is a constitutional right, but it should be expressed under the law, which means the protests should not be violent” said Msallam in a press conference he held against the backdrop of Thursday's downtown demonstrations that turned violent and stretchered till a late hour.

Progressive Socialist party chief Walid Jumblat stated on Saturday that although he consents the requests of the civil society activists, but it is unacceptable to drag the country to chaos.

“We have expressed our support for the demands and slogans raised by the civil society activists. We even condemned ourselves. But that does not mean that we will accept to stand idle and watch the country being dragged to chaos and systematic destruction of its economy, touristic and commercial institutions,” said Jumblat to the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Friday that there are some parties trying to exploit the civil society protests for interests that do not serve the Lebanese, stressing that the stability and security of the country are a "red line."

“It is clear that there are some parties trying to deviate the civil society from their goals, and are trying to take advantage of their moves for interests that do not serve the Lebanese nor the goals that triggered the civil mobilizations,” media reports quoted Salam.