Energy Minister Jebran Bassil reiterated a proposal to adopt alternative options concerning the lingering world oil prices, which are becoming a daily burden on citizens, An Nahar newspaper reported on Friday.

“These alternative solutions help citizens save around LL15,000 in gas prices, LL7,000 in gasoline prices, and would cost the treasury less,” he told the daily.

Syrian authorities demanded Lebanon officially on Friday to hand over the armed Syrian nationals that sought refuge in the eastern Bekaa area over the weekend, As Safir newspaper reported.

The Syrian Justice Ministry sent an official request to the Lebanese authorities demanding them to “hand over the armed groups that were detained in Lebanon,” informed sources told the daily.

The Higher Defense Council on Thursday expressed “relief” over the security situation in the country and decided to keep its resolutions confidential, following an emergency meeting at the Baabda Palace that tackled the issue of the Lebanese-Syrian border and the influx of refugees and gunmen from Syria.

The council “was briefed by the heads of the security agencies about the results of the security missions performed in several Lebanese regions and the border areas, expressing relief over the general security situation,” council spokesman Maj. Gen. Adnan Merheb announced after the meeting.

The cabinet that is scheduled to convene on Friday has on its agenda the controversial appointments of top civil servants, local newspapers reported.

Informed sources told al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday that the meeting at the Baabda Palace will tackle administrative appointments, ruling out the discussion of the appointment of the head of the Higher Judicial Council.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati held a meeting with President Michel Suleiman ahead of a cabinet session on Wednesday at the Grand Serail.

The two discussed at the Baabda palace the latest local developments and the issues facing the cabinet and the parliament.

The thorny issue of appointments seems to be fading away as the cabinet will tackle the subject during its upcoming session at the Baabda Palace, As Safir newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The daily reported that head of the Higher Judicial Council will not be from the previous disputed names, as officials sought to choose a name other than those proposed by President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

President Michel Suleiman held talks on Tuesday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on the sidelines of his visit to the emirate to attend the Arab Connect Summit 2012.

The talks focused on bilateral relations and ways to improve them, as well as the latest regional and Arab developments.

President Michel Suleiman urged all parties on Monday to agree on the foundations that would lead to a solution to the dispute on extra-budgetary spending.

In a statement issued by Baabda palace, Suleiman said a resolution to the bickering should help state institutions continue their work in the service of the citizens.

President Michel Suleiman is seeking to amend the age of retirement for the army commander, suggesting that it be raised to 62 instead of 58, As Safir newspaper reported.

“We don’t want to have to extend the mandate of General Jean Qahwaji (when he reaches the age of retirement),” Suleiman told the daily.

A tripartite meeting was held on Sunday at the Baabda Palace between President Michel Suleiman, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

“The Baabda tripartite meeting was held to preserve the status of the presidency and show respect for General Aoun's significant popular representation,” Al-Manar television reported.