Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday that the negotiations in the case of the Arsal abducted soldiers have progressed, adding that a positive breakthrough may be reached during the next few hours.
The same sources added that Lebanese General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim and the Qatari intelligence chief Ghanem al-Qubaisi set during their last meeting a roadmap to implement the much awaited swap deal.
According to the daily, the sources concluded by saying that the efforts deployed to release the captives are being done in total secrecy.
Minister of Environment Mohammad Machnouq told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam will hold a cabinet session next Thursday.
Machnouq also stressed the importance of preserving harmony inside the cabinet amid the presidential vacuum.
“The cabinet must retain its harmony, whoever wants to speed up the election of a new president must keep this in mind,” he added.
Visitors of Speaker Nabih Berri hailed the latest Lebanese army operation against armed men in Ras Baalbek, visitors quoted him as saying.
The sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Berri said the operation created an equation "that gave it the advantage in confronting terrorism.”
According to the sources, Berri noted that the operation made achievements despite the army lacking numbers, equipment and "sometimes" a political decision.
He also warned that many dangers are looming on the horizon, which require “the best political and security deployment to confront them.”
Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday that the Free Patriotic Movement is waiting for the Lebanese Forces to put its commentaries on the agreement reached between the representatives of the two parties in order for the understanding to take effect.
“It is normal for the agreement to take time, mainly when stressing the common characteristics in delicate and important issues,” Kanaan said.
Kanaan concluded by saying that the dialogue between the two parties aims at bridging the gap and defusing tension.