Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri was expected to return to Lebanon to follow up on the presidential developments but the step could be delayed, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Sunday.

Hariri was expected to make a return to Lebanon, either on Tuesday or Wednesday, to follow up on the political settlement that could see Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh officially nominated for the top state post, the daily added.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea may be forced to endorse the nomination of MP Michel Aoun for the top state post if the nomination of Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh continues, Ad Diyar daily reported on Sunday.

“If there are chances for Franjieh, Geagea does not intend to accept that nomination and he will therefore be compelled to support the nomination of (his other rival) Aoun,” said the daily.

Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh received a telephone call on Friday from French President Francois Hollande in light of the political settlement that saw a possible nomination of the lawmaker for the post of the presidency.

The phone call lasted for almost fifteen minutes, said LBCI.

Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb confirmed on Friday that progress has been made in the waste management file and that contacts are ongoing in that regard, al-Liwaa daily reported.

“Major and tangible progress has been reached in finding a solution for the trash file,” Shehayyeb told the daily refusing to give further details.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated that it is crucial for the Lebanese to end the 18-month vacuum at the top state post voicing hopes that the current dialogue in that regard reaches fruition, An Nahar daily said on Friday .

“The presidential post has been vacant for 18 months now. I knew about the dialogue taking place in that regard. I sincerely hope that the political situation is normalized as soon as possible, but the most important thing is to encourage reconciliation,” said Ban in an interview to the daily.

A Filipina housemaid killed her female employer in the Metn town of Ain Najm early on Thursday and called the deceased's husband right afterward, the state-run National News Agency said.

Natalie Michel Solben, 38, was killed after her housemaid hit her several times on the head with a vase and a metal object used in weight lifting that fractured her skull.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea is still adamant not to approve the nomination of MP Suleiman Franjieh for the post of presidency “even if that leaves him alone without any allies,” al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

“Geagea will keep on rejecting the nomination of Marada leader Franjieh until the end, even if it leaves him alone without any allies,” said the paper.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour on Wednesday described the proposed presidential settlement that involves the nomination of MP Suleiman Franjieh as the "best available opportunity" to end the political impasse in the country.

“Franjieh's Maronite representation does not need recognition from anyone and he is one of the four strong candidates, which should create a positive atmosphere in the Christian arena,” Abou Faour, who is close to Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, said.

Qatari ambassador Ali bin Hamad al-Marri slammed on Wednesday media reports claiming that his country has paid large amounts of money in the swap deal that saw the release of Lebanese soldiers a day earlier, al-Joumhouria daily reported.

“Qatar did not pay a single dollar but only led the role of mediator which took plenty of time,” al-Marri told the paper.

Hizbullah on Tuesday congratulated all Lebanese on the release of 16 troops and policemen who were held captive for over a year by the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, while stressing that “those who committed crimes against the servicemen must receive full punishment.”

“We hope the servicemen who are still in captivity will be freed as soon as possible … in order to turn the page on this unpleasant file for good,” the party said in a statement.