A security plan for various regions in Lebanon was addressed during a Defense Ministry meeting attended by Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and various heads of security agencies on Monday, reported An Nahar daily on Tuesday.

Mashnouq told the daily: “The gatherers tackled a balanced and fair security plan that we will propose before the Higher Defense Council ahead of referring it to cabinet for approval.”

Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq stressed on Tuesday that al-Naameh landfill will be shut down in 2015 indefinitely, pointing out that a crisis plan will be set to deal with the crisis of solid waste in the country.

“We should focus on the main issues out of our keenness to safeguard the health of the citizens,” Mashnouq said in comments published in al-Liwaa newspaper.

Speaker Nabih Berri hoped that the election of a new president will take place during one parliamentary session, reported As Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

He told the daily: “I believe that internal forces will hold sway over who will be elected president.”

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour referred on Monday the case of the Natamycin anti-fungal agent found in labneh (strained yogurt) products to the General Prosecution.

The case will be referred to the General Prosecution in order to take the necessary measures against those found to be involved in this issue.

The Phalange Party on Monday called for “capitalizing on” the formation of the new cabinet to hold the upcoming presidential election on time, urging a “comprehensive security plan” for the Lebanese regions that are witnessing security tensions.

“The country enters tomorrow the timeframe stipulated by the constitution to elect a new president and the party stresses the importance of capitalizing on the promising governmental achievement to approach this juncture in a spirit of national responsibility in order to prevent any presidential vacuum,” the party said in a statement issued after the weekly meeting of its political bureau.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam warned on Monday that the security situation in Lebanon would not improve if the presidential elections were not held.

In remarks to employees and reporters at a ceremony held at the Grand Serail, Salam said: “Making this achievement would open a new page to the nation and comfort the people.”

President Michel Suleiman tasked on Monday Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil with documenting the cross-border attacks against Lebanese villages.

Suleiman tasked Bassil with documenting the assault on border villages by the Syrian regime in order to take the necessary diplomatic measures.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil warned on Monday of a plot to keep Syrian refugees in Lebanon for a long time.

He also warned of a plan “for the refugees to equip themselves militarily in order to carry outs attacks beyond Lebanese borders.”

The Lebanese army defused on Monday dynamite sticks at the science faculty of the Lebanese University in al-Qobbeh area of the northern city of Tripoli, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The army found inside the campus 400 grams of dynamite sticks that were rigged to explode, NNA said.

Beirut Examining Magistrate Ghassan Owaidat issued on Monday arrest warrants in absentia against the sons of the former head of the Higher Relief Council, Ibrahim Bashir, the state-run National News Agency reported.

A warrant was also issued against a third person, Hassan Jaber, involved in the embezzlement of state funds, smuggling and money laundering, NNA said.