President Michel Aoun pointed out to the negative implications as the result of refugees influx into Lebanon, media reports said on Wednesday.

Aoun drew before his visitors to the negative repercussions of the number of displaced people in Lebanon and stressed that Lebanon wants a political solution to the Syrian crisis, said the reports.

The Lebanese army arrested a number of wanted fugitives on Wednesday during raids it staged in the northeast Lebanon town of Hermel, the National News Agency reported.

The Airborne Regiment and elements of the Army Directorate of Intelligence staged the raids early Wednesday and arrested a number of fugitives some of whom were identified by their initials as N.H and M.H, NNA said.

On the eve of a cabinet meeting set to discuss a draft electoral bill for Lebanon's parliamentary elections, things seem to be worsening in light of the absence of initiatives and deliberations between political parties mainly between the two Shiite parties (AMAL and Hizbullah) and the Free Patriotic Movement, al-Joumhouria daily reported Wednesday.

The latest effort made in that regard was a meeting between head of the FPM Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan, PM Saad Hariri's adviser Nader Hariri of al-Mustaqbal Movement, said the daily.

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced a warning statement that the anticipated May 15 parliament session will not convene shall consensus between political parties fail on a new electoral law, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“I don't agree on an extension (of the parliament term). If an agreement on a new law is not reached before May 15, the legislative session will not convene,” warned Berri.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi advised political parties on Tuesday to reach a new voting system for the upcoming parliamentary polls and avoid an extension of the parliament’s term or vacuum at the legislative authority.

“I don't support the 1960 electoral law. I have always reiterated that I support an agreement on a new voting system,” said Rahi before departing to Rome on a visit that will last for a few days.

The Lebanese army tightened security measures on Tuesday in the northeastern border town of Arsal, media reports said.

Speaker Nabih Berri assured that several meetings between various political parties will be held ahead of a cabinet meeting on Thursday to agree on a new electoral law, as he urged Prime Minister Saad Hariri to assume responsibility, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily reported on Tuesday.

Visitors to Berri quoted the Speaker as saying: “It is certain that many meetings will be held. But more importantly is they be held within the government. Prime Minister Saad Hariri must assume his responsibilities in this regard. In any case there will be no vote (on a new electoral law) in the cabinet. The election law can only be reached in conformity.”

The number of militants spread out in some of Lebanon's outskirts have remarkably dwindled due to the army's measures, which makes any military operation to entirely liberate the outskirts much easier than before, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

Security and intelligence reports said the number of militant groups has decreased significantly because of the Lebanese army's siege, in addition to members who get killed as the result of army shelling. Reports have shown that no more than 500 militant fighters still exist on the outskirts which makes a military action against them much easier than before, said the daily.

Seven grenade bomb explosions were heard in the southern refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh late on Sunday and early on Monday without any casualties being reported, the National News Agency reported.

One grenade exploded at 10:30 pm on Sunday inside the said camp at the junction of the vegetable market in Hay al-Tiri. It was followed by another bomb after almost one hour, NNA said.

Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed adherence to a new electoral law format he presented last week, stressing that he “will not change one single character,” in his proposal, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

“I suggested the format being the best way out. It is in their hands and I adhere to it as it is. I will not change one single character,” Berri told his visitors on Sunday.