Cyprus President Demetris Christofias arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday for talks with senior officials on the prospect of cooperation in the exploration of offshore oil and gas.

He kicked off his talks on Thursday with President Michel Suleiman, who thanked him for his country's support for Lebanon at various international meetings, especially at the European Union.

Matonite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has reportedly not adopted the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law, said al-Mustaqbal daily on Thursday.

A source close to the patriarch explained that al-Rahi “had not favored any electoral law over another, simply voicing his rejection to the 1960 law.”

Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora openly rejected on Thursday any electoral law based on proportional representation, expressing annoyance over the stances taken by his March 14 allies over the Orthodox Gathering draft-law, media reports said.

According to An Nahar newspaper, Saniora said that “no proportional law will be adopted under the hegemony of Hizbullah arms that is similar to the Syrian tutelage.”

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel vowed on Thursday to negotiate the release of the kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims in Syria, reported Future television.

He made his pledge during a meeting he held with the families of the pilgrims, saying that he will head to Doha, Qatar in order to carry out the negotiations.

Independence Movement leader Michel Mouawad announced on Wednesday his rejection of the Orthodox Gathering's proposed electoral law, saluting President Michel Suleiman's critique of this “unconstitutional” suggestion.

“(Former Deputy Speaker) Elie Ferzli's law encourages sectarian conflicts in the country,” Mouawad said after meeting with Suleiman in Baabda, adding that adopting it will have severe consequences on the “Lebanese identity and on free Christian presence in the country”.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Wednesday the importance of the work of the parliamentary electoral subcommittee meetings.

He expressed his “satisfaction” with the discussions that resumed on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati hailed on Wednesday the efforts exerted by the ministries and agencies to decrease the impact of the storm on the citizens and properties after the cabinet approved LL3 billion to the citizens who were affected by it.

“Lebanon is witnessing a storm that holds a blessing despite the inflicted damages,” Miqati said during a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

A powerful snow storm has magnified the misery for Syrians who have fled the country's civil war to Lebanon, turning two camps into a swamp in the eastern Bekaa valley.

The two encampments were immersed in water after the Litani River flooded. Dozens of Syrian refugees were left in search of alternate shelter along with their soaked and muddy belongings.

The body of a woman in her thirties was found in the coastal town of Tabarja, north of Beirut.

The state-run National News Agency reported on Wednesday that the body was dumped in a large garbage metal bin near al-Riyah Hotel in the area.

The Maronite bishops council renewed on Wednesday its demand for the formation of a new government and the approval of a parliamentary electoral draft law other than the 1960 law.

It said in a statement after its monthly meeting: “The new government should be capable of performing national duties, including achieving economic stability, holding the elections, and keeping Lebanon away from regional conflicts.”