The Russian initiative to return the Syrian refugees back to their homeland has seen a “setback” in light of the complexities affecting a political solution in Syria, and the Syrian regime’s “unwillingness” to have them back, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily reported on Wednesday.

Free Patriotic Movement chief and Foreign Minister announced Tuesday that his remarks on March 14 were not targeted against a certain party, as he accused the international donors anew of seeking to keep the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

“My outcry on March 14 was not against a certain party, seeing as we also are part of the government,” Bassil said in an interview on LBCI television, after his remarks sparked a war of words with al-Mustaqbal Movement.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday condemned what it described as recent “threats” against the international donors who took part in the Brussels conference on refugees, in an apparent jab at Free Patriotic Movement chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

“The escalation of political stances will not contribute to addressing the current economic, social and financial problems,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc stressed Tuesday that its “stances and principles” are more important than any understanding with any political party.

“The presidential settlement and all our understandings are for production, not bickering,” Strong Lebanon secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the bloc's weekly meeting.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri reassured Tuesday on the fate of the political settlement with President Michel Aoun following a war of words between their two parties.

Speaking to a delegation from the Press Order that visited him at the Grand Serail, Hariri stressed that his decision is to “work for the sake of citizens, the economy and Lebanon” and not to waste time on “futile political bickering.”

President Michel Aoun has agreed with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil that he would be the only minister to accompany him on his first official visit to Russia on March 26, a media report said.

“Aoun's picking of Bassil exclusively and the decision not to form a delegation as per custom might be linked to the intention of the president and the foreign minister to keep their discussions with the Russian officials under wraps,” MTV reported on Tuesday.

Lebanese intelligence said Tuesday a Lebanese-Canadian dual national had been arrested on suspicion of spying for Israel.

The Council of Ministers will hold a regular meeting to be chaired by President Michel Aoun on Thursday at the Baabda Palace, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.

As concerns mount over tensions surging between Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Arab diplomats urged Lebanese officials to maintain internal stability in light of the recent regional developments, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his latest report raised concern about Hizbullah’s weapons saying it could “jeopardize the stability of Lebanon and the region,” Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Tuesday.