Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh has said his ally Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun is calling for street protests “at the wrong time.”

Franjieh, who visited Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Tuesday, told al-Joumhouria daily's reporter that he considers the FPM's actions “democratic.”

Prime Minister Tammam Salam intensified on Wednesday his efforts to avert a major political crisis over threats made by the Free Patriotic Movement to resort to the streets in defense of Christian rights.

Al-Mustaqbal daily on Wednesday quoted Salam's sources as saying that the PM “rejects to engage in a row with anyone yet he cannot meet the demands of six ministers and ignore the requests of another 18 ministers.”

Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated that he rejected being involved in a dispute with any Lebanese politician while stressing that Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun cannot not take any action that would harm the state.

Al-Joumhouria daily on Wednesday quoted Berri as telling his visitors that “the person who considers himself 'the son of the (political) system or the son of the state' cannot do anything that would damage or harm the state.”

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has expressed his deep concern over the ongoing vacuum at Lebanon's presidential palace, urging all parties to help the government function, An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday.

In his semi-annual report on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, Ban said the vacuum at Baabda Palace continues to limit Lebanon’s capabilities in confronting security, economic and social challenges.

The U.N. Security Council is set to extend the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The daily said that during a session, which was held last Thursday, the cabinet approved a request made by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil for a one-year extension of UNIFIL's mandate.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc condemned Tuesday what it described as “the negative rhetoric and approach that Free Patriotic Movement chief General Michel Aoun has endorsed,” stressing that “the interests of Christians” cannot be protected through “impeding the presidential vote” or street action.

“The FPM's insistence on paralyzing the cycle of production unless the majority complies with the minority's demands in cabinet is a blatant assault on democracy, constitution and the law,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday called for preparing for what he described as a “fateful battle,” stressing that his objectives have always been “patriotic” and not aimed at garnering political seats.

“I have asked you to prepare for a fateful battle and don't think that this is a transient issue,” said Aoun after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc, addressing the Lebanese people.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour referred to the General Prosecution four doctors for issuing fake medical reports used to help people obtain drivers licenses, reported the National News Agency on Tuesday.

It said that the doctors were issuing the reports without performing a medical examination of the applicants.

Three Syrian workers were injured in Kesrouan district on Tuesday when a ceiling at a house under construction collapsed, the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said the incident took place in the area of Haret Sakher near Jounieh.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea on Tuesday rejected attempts by Speaker Nabih Berri to hold an extraordinary parliamentary session and appeased fears on the situation of Christians in Lebanon.

“LF MPs are ready to attend any parliamentary session whose agenda is topped by the electoral draft-law and the law on granting the citizenship to Lebanese expatriates,” said Geagea.