Military Examining Magistrate Imad al-Zain issued on Wednesday arrest warrants against two al-Qaida suspects for preparing homemade explosives, the state-run National News Agency said.

NNA identified the two suspects with their initials as S.D and S.A.

General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi stated on Wednesday that the assaults against the Dar al-Fatwa clerics in Beirut's Shiyyah and Khandaq al-Ghamiq neighborhoods are not related.

He said in a statement: “Based on the investigations conducted by the army intelligence and under my supervision, the attacks were not prompted by political or factional motives.”

The general directorate of Islamic Endowments called on nominees, who want to run for the membership of the Higher Islamic Council, to submit their candidacy by Thursday.

The general directorate pointed out on Wednesday that the elections will be held on April 14 at 11:00 a.m. according to Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani's decision.

Three people were killed on Wednesday when a passenger bus collided with a truck on al-Bouar highway, north of Beirut, the Lebanese Red Cross and the National News Agency said.

The three were instantly killed when the bus with Syrian license plates hurtled into the truck, NNA said.

Five Syrian shells landed near a Lebanese border town in the northeast on Wednesday, two days after Syrian air strikes along the border area, the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said the shells landed on the outskirts of the town of al-Qasr in Hermel district.

Syndicate Coordination Committee protesters squabbled on Wednesday with head of the vehicle registration authority in Dekwaneh after he prevented them from entering its premises.

Head of the authority, Colonel George Lattouf, banned the protesters from entering the premises causing anger among their ranks, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Divisions between cabinet members on several controversial issues are likely to exacerbate on Thursday over the formation of the authority that would supervise the elections, which is rejected by the Hizbullah-led majority.

A cabinet session that is set to be held at Baabda palace could either witness a last minute deal to form the authority or March 8 majority ministers could vote against it if President Michel Suleiman insisted on putting it up to vote.

Lebanese Forces leader MP Samir Geagea lashed out on Wednesday at the cabinet for its failure to carry out its tasks, revealing that the March 14 hybrid electoral law is almost ready.

“The resignation of the cabinet and the electoral law are our priorities,”' Geagea said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.

The March 14 alliance is seeking signatures on a parliamentary petition to urge Speaker Nabih Berri to call for an urgent session to discuss and approve a draft-law that extends the retirement age of officers in leadership posts in security agencies amid a strong opposition by the Free Patriotic movement.

According to As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday, the opposition is pressing the extension of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to safeguard the country.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour reiterated on Wednesday that he would do the necessary contacts about the alleged Syrian air strikes inside Lebanese territories upon his return to Beirut after he cast doubt that the attacks took place.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Mansour said he would follow up the case when he returns to Beirut “although he was informed during his presence in Nigeria that the alleged Syrian raids in the border areas were rumors.”