Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi hoped on Friday that officials in Lebanon would be inspired by the Bible to conduct their political practices in order to achieve a better society.

He said during the Epiphany mass: “They should not separate their duties from their responsibilities towards God, but instead strike a balance between their political practices and moral values.”

Security forces arrested on Friday the kingpin of the network accused of planting bombs in the southern city of Sidon.

MTV reported that Ahmed Antar, who is accused of leading a gang behind the planting of bombs in Sidon, was detained by the ISF Intelligence Bureau.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour is expected to travel to Libya on January 12 in order hold talks with various officials on the disappearance of Shiite cleric Imam Moussa al-Sadr.

He told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Friday: “I will stay there for several days until the case is resolved.”

Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas is formulating a new wage plan to propose before the Shura Council before submitting it to a vote at the cabinet, As Safir newspaper reported on Friday.

Nahhas’ step might create a new dispute between the cabinet members as some might consider that he is bypassing the government by heading to the Shura Council directly, while others consider that this step falls in line with his constitutional jurisdictions.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to stress to various officials the need to resolve the possession of arms outside the authority of the Lebanese state during his trip to Beirut on January 13, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Friday.

He is likely to stress the need to tackle this issue through dialogue, as well as by ensuring the liberation of all Lebanese territory.

Lebanon and Cyprus will hold talks to follow up discussions on demarcating the maritime border, As Safir newspaper reported on Friday.

The meeting, which will be held “soon” according to the daily, will tackle the Israeli-Cypriot discussions to correct the errors in the agreement between the two sides, which “harms” Lebanon.

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced his support for President Michel Suleiman’s statements on the appointments of top civil servants.

He told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Friday that it would be difficult to make them in one haul as the president had feared.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil stated on Thursday that al-Qaida has infiltrated Lebanon under the guise of various groups, such as Fatah al-Islam and Jund al-Sham.

He said during a press conference: “The president and prime minister know this, as does the March 14 camp and some of its members even sympathize and assist these groups.”

President Michel Suleiman lauded on Thursday the government’s performance so far, despite the criticism it has come under.

He hoped that it would “make the appointments of top civil servants in gradual steps and not in one single haul.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Thursday the important role the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has played in maintaining the security and stability of southern Lebanon.

He said after holding talks with UNIFIL Commander Major General Alberto Asarta at the Grand Serail: “The international troops’ mission will be complete when the Lebanese army assumes full responsibility of the security of the South.”