Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea is still adamant not to approve the nomination of MP Suleiman Franjieh for the post of presidency “even if that leaves him alone without any allies,” al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

“Geagea will keep on rejecting the nomination of Marada leader Franjieh until the end, even if it leaves him alone without any allies,” said the paper.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour on Wednesday described the proposed presidential settlement that involves the nomination of MP Suleiman Franjieh as the "best available opportunity" to end the political impasse in the country.

“Franjieh's Maronite representation does not need recognition from anyone and he is one of the four strong candidates, which should create a positive atmosphere in the Christian arena,” Abou Faour, who is close to Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, said.

Qatari ambassador Ali bin Hamad al-Marri slammed on Wednesday media reports claiming that his country has paid large amounts of money in the swap deal that saw the release of Lebanese soldiers a day earlier, al-Joumhouria daily reported.

“Qatar did not pay a single dollar but only led the role of mediator which took plenty of time,” al-Marri told the paper.

Hizbullah on Tuesday congratulated all Lebanese on the release of 16 troops and policemen who were held captive for over a year by the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, while stressing that “those who committed crimes against the servicemen must receive full punishment.”

“We hope the servicemen who are still in captivity will be freed as soon as possible … in order to turn the page on this unpleasant file for good,” the party said in a statement.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam and General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on Tuesday saluted all the local and external parties that contributed to the release of 16 servicemen who were held by al-Nusra Front, during an emotional welcoming ceremony that was held at the Grand Serail.

“Our heroes endured and persevered and we also endured with them, which allowed us to achieve this joy. I cannot but remember the martyrs on this occasion, the last of whom was Mohammed Hamiyeh,” Salam said, referring to four servicemen who were executed by al-Nusra and the Islamic State group.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held a meeting with Khamenei's adviser on international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati where talks highlighted the latest developments, al-Manar TV website said.

Velayati was accompanied by deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdul Lahyan and the accompanying delegation in the presence of Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Fathali.

Officials welcomed on Tuesday the release of the servicemen that were kidnapped by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, while hoping that efforts will be made to ensure the release of the hostages held by the Islamic State extremist group.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour paid a visit to the sit-in held by the servicemen's families in downtown Beirut, pledging that the “state will not waver in exerting efforts to release the remaining hostages.”

The Lebanese army arrested overnight a member of Osama Mansour's terrorist group in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh, the National News Agency said on Tuesday.

Khaled Makkieh was arrested in the vegetable market of Bab al-Tabbaneh for participating in attacks against army positions in the northern city of Tripoli, NNA added.

The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front released on Tuesday 16 servicemen it had abducted from the northeastern border town of Arsal in 2014.

The servicemen were released through a Qatari-mediated deal that also included a prisoner swap to release a number of inmates from Lebanese jails.

Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun has informed his ally Hizbullah of his rejection to nominate Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh for the post of presidency, An Nahar daily said on Tuesday.

Aoun, himself a candidate of March 8 alliance, has also informed Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geaega of the stance, added the daily.