The Army Command denied on Tuesday a media report that a three-member cell arrested in Rmeileh was planning to shoot down a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon helicopter.

It stressed in a statement that investigations with the group are ongoing.

The cabinet failed for the second day in a row on Tuesday to agree on an electoral law based on proportionality proposed by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel over disagreements on the division of districts and the voting of Lebanese expatriates.

“Proportionality and the number of districts need more discussions,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said following a cabinet session held at Baabda palace.

Abbas Shoaib, one of the 11 abducted Lebanese Shiite pilgrims in Syria, has managed to escape from his captors for a few hours before being recaptured, LBCI television reported on Monday.

“On Wednesday evening, one of the relatives of the hostages received an SMS from a Syrian mobile phone number in which the sender identified himself as Abbas Shoaib,” the TV network said.

The Phalange Party praised on Monday President Michel Suleiman’s efforts to resume the national dialogue.

It urged in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting “the removal of all obstacles hindering the talks, which requires an honest position on complying with the March 14 camp’s demands.”

The Trial Chamber confirmed the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's jurisdiction to try those accused of committing the February 14, 2005 attack and connected cases, in a decision published on Monday, it announced in a statement.

It said: “The Trial Chamber dismissed all the motions of the defense counsel, who argued that the tribunal was set up illegally, violates Lebanese sovereignty, has selective jurisdiction and does not guarantee the accused a right to fair trial.”

Popular Nasserite Movement head Osama Saad expressed surprise on Monday regarding al-Mustaqbal movement’s decision to call off a general strike that was set to be held in the southern coastal city of Sidon.

He slammed during a press conference attempts to bring down the “united stances” of the residents of Sidon.

Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji snapped back at his critics on Monday and said in his Order of the Day that the military won’t allow turning the nation into a battleground for Syrian differences.

“No matter where the situation in Syria leads to, the army will be in utmost readiness to play its role and assume its national responsibilities in accordance with the decisions of the political authority in limiting the repercussions of these events on Lebanon, protecting the residents of border regions and preventing strife,” Qahwaji said.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said on Monday that he isn’t planning on becoming the next Lebanese president but if he was elected “by coincidence” he wouldn’t mind.

“Just like I was tasked by coincidence to head the Interior Ministry I wouldn’t say no to the presidency as it is the right of any Maronite,” Charbel said in an interview with al-Liwaa newspaper.

General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza’s tenure ended on Monday as the name of the successor remains unclear. Mirza served for 45 years in the judiciary.

Media sources said that Judge Samir Hammoud is expected to become the acting General Prosecutor due to seniority awaiting the cabinet’s decision regarding the issue.

President Michel Suleiman presided a meeting on Monday to tackle the latest developments on the so-called telecom data handed to security agencies investigating assassination plots against Lebanese officials, al-Akhbar daily reported.

The meeting, its second since July 21, was attended by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, involved ministers and the security chiefs, the newspaper said.