Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Monday that Lebanon will always be supportive of Saudi Arabia as it has supported it before.

Early on Monday, Syrian warplanes staged raids on positions of militants in the outskirts of Arsal on the border with Syria, the National News Agency said.

Syrian warplanes regularly target militants in the border area with Lebanon.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Monday rejected calls for demos in support of the refugees, and pointed out that the Syrian Intelligence might be seeking to initiate clashes between the Lebanese Army and the Syrian refugees.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri offered his condolences to Saudi King Salaman bin Abdulaziz over the death of his brother Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz, Hariri's media office said Saturday.

Hariri telephoned the Saudi King and expressed sorrow over the King's loss.

Talks circulating among political circles said the upcoming week may be decisive in terms of a possible military operation against terrorist groups in the outskirts of Arsal, and Hizbullah's “key role” in this battle fighting on the Lebanese side, al-Joumhouria daily reported Saturday.

Senior security sources who told the daily on condition of anonymity, that “Hizbullah has completed preparations for the battle and dispatched its fighters to the area.”

Parliamentary by-elections to fill three vacant seats in Keserwan and Tripoli will be held on the last Sunday of September, al-Akhbar daily reported on Saturday.

Interior Ministry sources told the daily that by-elections in Keserwan (intended to fill the vacant Maronite seat of President Michel Aoun), and in Tripoli (to fill the Alawite seat left vacant by the death of MP Badr Wannous and another Greek Orthodox seat left vacant by the resignation of MP Robert Fadel) will be held on Sunday, September 24.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed the need to wage an assault against militants lingering in the northeastern border town of Arsal to “liberate” the area, pointing out to the role of the Resistance and Lebanese Army in that regard, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

“There are serious atmospheres about an assault that is going to take place in the outskirts. I am not worried, the Resistance and the Lebanese Army are both carrying out their duties,” Berri was quoted as telling his visitors.

Lebanon's State Security apparatus arrested two Syrian nationals on suspicion of spying on the country's army forces, the State-run National News Agency reported on Friday.

A State Security patrol in al-Nabatieh arrested Mohammed Aa. and Hussein S., both Syrians, against the backdrop of spying on the Lebanese army, NNA said.

Families of soldiers abducted by the Islamic State group briefly blocked a main road in Downtown Beirut demanding knowing the fate of their sons after more than three years in the Islamic State group's captivity.

The relatives blocked the Banks Road in Riad al-Solh and demanded that “Prime Minister Saad Hariri come down to the street to negotiate with them.”

The US Administration admires Lebanon's policy and its ability to confront terrorism and has therefore encouraged President Donald Trump to strengthen ties with the country, al-Diyar daily reported on Friday.

“The US administration has absolute confidence in Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and in Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, therefore it is unlikely for the US Treasury to impose new sanctions on Lebanon,” a report published in the daily said.