The international tribunal’s Appeals Chamber ruled on Tuesday Jamil al-Sayyed’s latest appeal admissible and referred the case back to the Pre-Trial Judge for further consideration.

The former chief of the General Security Department, who was detained for four years in connection with the February 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, has appealed Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen's decision to give him partial access to his case file.

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stated on Tuesday that the government’s functioning began despite the obstacles issued by some sides aimed at hindering its mission.

He noted that the cabinet’s recent agreement on various appointments in state positions is a sign of the productivity it is aspiring for.

The head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohammed Raad stated on Tuesday that the government advocated the “equation of victory of the army, people, and Resistance.”

He added: “The enemy and its masters want to target the Resistance because it represents what is left of dignity in this world.”

Firefighters doused a huge blaze that engulfed a grains depot on the Jdita-Dahr al-Baidar road on Tuesday after the flames spread to the warehouse from a truck that was on fire.

The National News Agency said that the truck, which was loaded with cement, hit an abandoned building on the side of the road and went on fire, killing its Syrian driver Mohammed Shehade.

The new Director-General of the General Security Department Abbas Ibrahim hoped that he’s up to the tasks he’s been assigned to, “because it’s the time to work and cooperate with different parties.”

“Lebanon needs all its citizens, and efforts should be exerted to halt saboteurs from achieving their goals,” Ibrahim told al-Liwaa newspaper on Tuesday.

The March 14-backed opposition is mulling to reject President Michel Suleiman’s invitation for national dialogue over claims that Hizbullah’s arms are no longer acceptable.

An Nahar daily quoted March 14 decision-makers as saying that the opposition might not respond to Suleiman’s request given that it has already launched a campaign against Hizbullah’s weapons and the discussion of the issue during all-party talks is useless.

Speaker Nabih Berri said that the cabinet led by PM Najib Miqati is promising. He stressed the importance of exerting efforts to intensify the government’s weekly meetings so that citizens would feel the difference.

As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday that Berri suggested that the cabinet should hold a special session to highlight the basis and the principles that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel should follow while drafting the elections law.

The government is planning to release a group of 30 Islamists who have been held since the Nahr al-Bared clashes in 2007 without prosecution, An Nahar daily reported Tuesday.

The newspaper said that the move comes after the authorities released over the weekend Sheikh Nabil Rhim who was transported to the northern port city of Tripoli by a vehicle sent to him by Premier Najib Miqati.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that Lebanon will remain committed to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing ex-premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

“It is not in our hand to eliminate … the tribunal by any means and we will proceed in this,” Miqati said in an interview with CNN.

The government is planning to bring back to the discussion table the issue of false witnesses which was a source of major controversy between pro and anti- cabinet forces during the tenure of former Premier Saad Hariri.

An Nahar newspaper said Tuesday that Prime Minister Najib Miqati discussed the issue with Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi on the sidelines of the government session held at the Grand Serail a day earlier.