Al-Nusra Front and Marwan al-Hadidi Brigades claimed on Saturday the responsibility for targeting the Bekaa region of Hermel with seven rockets.

The two extremist groups claimed the attack via twitter.

Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil stressed on Friday that the adoption of the concept of rotating ministerial portfolios in the upcoming cabinet hinders the Free Patriotic Movement's participation.

“Those who think that they can impose on us a de-facto matter should realize that what we can do is bigger than the current political situation... We are strong,” Bassil said in an interview in al-Joumhouria newspaper.

President Michel Suleiman said Thursday that distancing Lebanon from the Syrian crisis comes through the immediate end to interference in all of the neighboring country's internal affairs.

In a statement issued by Baabda Palace, Suleiman held onto the official policy of dissociation from the Syrian war.

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour stressed on Thursday the cabinet stalemate doesn't necessarily indicate that negotiations between the rival parties have slowed down.

“As long as there is political will to form a national unity cabinet that safeguards the country” the cabinet would see the light, Abou Faour said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Wednesday that there is consensus between all parties on adopting the rotation in ministerial portfolios, persuading the Free Patriotic Movement to agree on the matter.

“We cannot reject the rotation of portfolios, which was agreed on by President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam,” Jumblat informed FPM caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil.

President Michel Suleiman called on Tuesday for unity among the Lebanese to confront terrorism, urging the upcoming cabinet should work on safeguarding the country's stability once it's formed.

“The next cabinet should work on safeguarding the country's security and stability,” Suleiman said after meeting with the consular corps in the Baabda Palace.

The Free Patriotic Movement rejects the concept of rotating portfolios on claims that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam's government will only be formed for a short period of time to oversee the presidential elections.

A prominent source in the FPM said in comments published in As Saifr newspaper published on Tuesday that the cabinet will be formed “for a period of four months maximum, wondering the necessity of the rotation of portfolios in this cabinet.”

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon lauded President Michel Suleiman on Monday for holding onto the dissociation policy and encouraged the rival parties to ensure that the presidential elections are held on time.

“I commend President Suleiman’s leadership to uphold the country’s disassociation policy. This is vital to prevent the Syrian crisis from exacerbating tensions in Lebanon as we have seen with recent acts of terrorism and bombings,” said Ban in remarks to the Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East.

Phalange Party leader MP Amin Gemayel called on Monday for the formation of a cabinet capable of confronting all the constitutional deadlines in the country and overseeing the upcoming presidential elections.

“Three upcoming deadlines will decide the fate of Lebanon,” Gemayel said after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at Bkirki.

President Michel Suleiman hailed on Monday Saudi Arabia's grant to the Lebanese army, hoping that the international community will continue to support Lebanon's stability.

He said after a meeting with the diplomatic corps: “A national defense strategy is beginning to take shape through the Saudi grant.”