Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi expressed dismay at the destiny of the political situation in Lebanon, blaming the christian leaders for not realizing the magnitude of danger surrounding the Christians, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Sunday.

“Rahi arrived at a conviction that many political leaders, mainly Christians, do not want to elect a president because they are benefiting from the vacuum and from the absence of the president to exercise their powers on behalf,” sources close to the Patriarch told the daily.

Hizbullah fighters shelled Friday positions of the jihadist Islamic State group in an area near the Syrian border, killing five militants, Hizbullah's al-Manar TV said.

The shelling occurred on the outskirts of the Lebanese border town of Ras Baalbek, where IS fighters and Syria's al-Qaida affiliate, known as al-Nusra Front, are active.

A protester set himself ablaze Friday at a sit-in outside the Military Court in Beirut after a judge decided to remand two civil society activists in custody.

The protester, identified as Mohammed Hirz, was rushed to hospital by Red Cross medics, state-run National News Agency said. Media reports said he suffered moderate to severe burn injuries.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri urged the political leaders in Lebanon to converge and find a solution for the crises mainly the hurdle of electing a president.

“Stemming from the brethren relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, I urge the political leaders to work on opening a new leaf and put aside the controversial issues that have emerged in the last phase,” said Asiri after a meeting with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

Speaker Nabih Berri concluded his visit to Romania after holding a series of talks with Romanian officials where he assured Lebanon's ability to overcome the political and economic crises.

“I would like to assure you and assure the Lebanese community in Romania that Lebanon will be able to overcome its political and economic crises despite the difficulties it is facing,” said Berri at a dinner banquet attended by Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

The Internal Security Forces arrested in Baalbek on Thursday a policeman after he was caught on camera stealing cars and then reselling them to dealers, the state-run National News Agency said.

The officer, who serves at one of the police stations west of the Baalbek villages was caught stealing cars on one of the surveillance cameras.

A Lebanese family that sought to travel abroad looking for better living conditions lost seven of its members at sea while two other members remain missing until the moment, the National News Agency said on Thursday.

Seven of the Safwan family drowned at sea on board of an inflatable boat that was heading its way from Turkey to Greece, NNA added.

Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan urged the rival political leaders attending the national dialogue sessions not to leave their meetings before they elect a new president.

“Do not leave your dialogue sessions unless you consensually agree on electing a new head of state,” Daryan said addressing the interlocutors of the national dialogue during a speech marking the New Islamic Year.

Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz is set to leave his headquarters in Roumieh on Tuesday for his successor Maroun al-Qobayati a day early as his term ends on October 15, following an official holiday.

The official handover ceremony between Roukoz and Qobayati will not be held this year, and Roukoz is scheduled to visit the ministry of defense where he will hold a meeting with Army Commander Jean Qahwaji and several other officers.

Lebanese officials have ruled out a rise in the number of Syrian refugees after Moscow entered Syria's multi-faceted civil war last month.

The officials, who were not identified, told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that it was highly unlikely for more Syrians to seek safety in Lebanon over the air strikes carried out by Russia to help the Syrian regime.