Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said on Saturday that reform in Syria is reached through internal efforts and dialogue, explaining that it cannot be imposed by any foreign interference.

“Reform is needed in every country but it should be pursued through internal cooperation,” al-Rahi stated during a mass he held at the Maronite Cathedral of Mar Antonios in Damascus.

President Michel Suleiman asked General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on Friday to investigate a media report that a Syrian army deserter was involved in the kidnapping of Lebanese pilgrims by rebels last year.

A presidential statement said that during a meeting they held at Baabda palace, Suleiman tasked Ibrahim with investigating the report carried by al-Akhbar daily that Syrian army lieutenant Mohammed Tlas, who has fled his country to Lebanon, was aware of the full details linked to the abduction of the 11 men.

President Michel Suleiman said Thursday there are instructions not to deport any Syrian to his home country in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The instructions are not to deport any Syrian to Syria in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Suleiman on twitter.

Opposition lawmaker Butros Harb revealed Thursday that President Michel Suleiman has expressed frustration over the general prosecutor's request to strip the MP of his parliamentary immunity.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Harb said: “The president is very upset by General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi's request and informed me that he did not know that he would take such a measure.”

The residents of the eastern town of Arsal formed on Wednesday a committee to hold talks with senior officials following a deadly ambush of an army patrol, media reports said.

The committee, according to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), will meet with Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji, President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati in light of the recent attack that left two army soldiers and a suspect dead.

MP Butros Harb condemned on Tuesday General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi's request to strip him of his parliamentary immunity, accusing him of collaborating with Hizbullah to cover up the accused in the assassination attempt against him.

He said during a press conference: “I will file a lawsuit against Madi and I will make his case an example to introduce reform in Lebanon”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat rejected on Tuesday attempts to shove the eastern border town of Arsal in a direct confrontation with the Lebanese army, which aims at creating incitement and destabilizing the country.

The Druze leader called on the Lebanese to support the army and to consolidate its patriotic role.

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Monday on the importance of ending all the political statements over the electoral law that will be adopted during the upcoming parliamentary elections urging officials to prioritize the country's best interest.

“Officials should halt the rhetoric over the matter and discuss it away from any personal interest,” Suleiman said.

General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi demanded on Monday to strip MP Butros Harb of his parliamentary immunity over remarks he made on the judiciary and President Michel Suleiman after Mahmoud Hayek was charged with the attempt on his life.

The state-run National News Agency reported that Madi handed over to Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi a request to refer a demand to the parliament to lift immunity off Harb in order for him to be prosecuted over insulting the president and accusing the judiciary of plotting a conspiracy against him.

President Michel Suleiman on Sunday said that “no one should harbor armed men,” stressing that the killers of Major Pierre Bashaalani and First Sergeant Ibrahim Zahraman “will be punished.”

“The state and the army must come first and we hope that justice will be served and the criminals will be arrested,” Suleiman said from the Bekaa town of Mrayjat, where he offered condolences to Bashaalani's family.