Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has unveiled that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman sought during his visit to Beirut last week to coordinate with Lebanese officials attempts to issue a U.N. Security Council resolution against Syria.

Jumblat told Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV on Monday night that he disagreed with Feltman on his view and stressed to him that “any decision to isolate Syria would not do any good.”

The army intelligence has detained the secretary-general of the Arabic-Islamic Council after suspecting that he collaborated with the Israeli Mossad, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Mohammed Ali H., who is a clergyman, was moved to the ministry of defense in Yarze from his home in the southern port city of Tyre for interrogation, the daily said.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected for the first time to address the situation in Syria during a speech on the occasion of Liberation Day on Wednesday.

Syrian President Bashar Assad, who along with Iran is Hizbullah’s main backer, is facing a nine-week uprising against his regime.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to take “immediate measures that could introduce radical change” to confront the challenges facing Syria.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine: “These changes will help fulfill the people’s legitimate demands and prevent Syria from falling victim to division.”

Hizbullah MPs have said that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman has informed President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Najib Miqati that the new cabinet should not be formed.

The MPs told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Sunday that Feltman carried a message to Suleiman and Miqati that the government “should not witness light.”

Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held talks with visiting Iranian deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Reza Shebani and his accompanying delegation that included Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Rokn-Abadi.

The Hizbullah chief is scheduled to make a television appearance on the occasion of Liberation Day on Wednesday during which he will issue “clear positions” on Syria, informed Lebanese sources told the Saudi Okaz newspaper in remarks published on Saturday.

Security forces killed 44 people during anti-regime protests which swept Syria on Friday, with most of the casualties in the western province of Idlib and the central city of Homs, a human right activist told Agence France Presse on Saturday.

"Syrian authorities are continuing to use excessive force and live ammunition to face popular protests in various regions throughout the country," said Ammar Qurabi, head of the National Organization for Human Rights, who was reached by telephone.

Lebanon should grant immediate asylum to Syrians fleeing violence in their country instead of detaining them, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

"Lebanon's security forces should stop detaining Syrian refugees who cross the border into Lebanon to escape violence and persecution in their country," the New York-based rights group said.

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali assured on Friday that Syria is more fortified than ever after the recent unrest witnessed in the Arab country.

He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “Matters are improving and reforms are being implemented at a fast pace.”

Hani Abou al-Nasser rolls his eyes, shrugs and lets out a worried sigh as he gestures toward his empty store in the old souk of Damascus.

"I haven't made a penny in four days," laments the 64-year-old. "There is no work. The tourists are gone."