The international community has notified the Lebanese government of the necessity to agree on a new law for the upcoming parliamentary polls in order for the country to be able to restore its “democratic rhythm,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“Prominent international community sources have communicated with the Lebanese government stressing the necessity to devise a new law or stage the parliamentary elections because the international community is annoyed with a country that endured a presidential vacuum for two years, and is unable now to draft a new election law and restore its normal democratic cycle,” said al-Joumhouria.

Israeli military vessels violated Lebanon's territorial waters off Ras al-Naqoura, the Lebanese Army Orientation Directorate said in a statement on Monday.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi presided over a mass service on Monday in appreciation of France in presence of French Ambassador Emmanuel Bonne and a number of political figures, the National News Agency reported.

Rahi prayed for the prosperity and peace in France, saying: “We raise our prayers for the peace and prosperity of this dear country. Our prayers also accompany the beloved people of France, who are preparing these days to elect a new President of the Republic.”

Unknown assailants tossed a stun grenade at dawn on Monday in the southern al-Njasa neighborhood in Sidon, the National News Agency said.

The grenade exploded triggering a fire in a pile of garbage, NNA added.

Two men were killed on Monday when an unknown man driving a four-wheel vehicle opened fire at them in Qob Elias in the Bekaa region, the National News Agency reported.

An unidentified man driving a four-wheel car opened fire at Talal Hmeid al-Awad and Khalil Qattan killing them instantly, NNA said.

Al-Mustaqbal MP Ammar Houri criticized on Monday an electoral law proposal suggested by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil saying “it brings us back to the logic of civil war.”

“The (so-called) qualification part of Bassil's proposal brings us back to the logic of civil war. It is very far from the constitution and the path drawn by the Taef agreement,” said Houri in an interview to VDL (100.5).

The calls of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to re-endorse the 1960 electoral law, must be taken into consideration so as to avoid the formation of a military government if Lebanon fails to approve a new voting system that could push it into a parliamentary vacuum, media reports said on Monday.

“Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has informed the related authorities that he rejects vacuum at the legislative authority because it only means disruption of the constitutional process,” unnamed political sources told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily.

President Michel Aoun stressed on Saturday that Lebanon will be a global center for religious and civilizations dialogue, as he noted that the region is witnessing a plan to devoid the Levant of Christians.

“Lebanon can be a global center for dialogue among religions and civilizations, this is because it includes religions and doctrines of the world and its sons live together in it,” said Aoun in an interview with SAT-7 TV network on the occasion of Easter.

President Michel Aoun met on Saturday with Jerome Chartier, the special adviser of French candidate Francois Fillon, at Baabda Palace, the National News Agency reported on Saturday.

Jerome conveyed Fillon's greetings and apologies for not being able to visit Lebanon as it was planned earlier, NNA said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi urged the political authority in Lebanon to stop obstructing the political process in the country for their own personal gains, as he assured that the Christian community does not stand in a weak position.