Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi on Wednesday informed President Joseph Aoun of the reasons that led him to announce his boycott of Cabinet sessions.

During the meeting at the Baabda Palace, Saddi emphasized "his commitment to continue assuming his ministerial responsibilities," expressing his hope that these reasons will be addressed.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that the Taif Agreement “focused on the importance of extending state authority over all of its territory using its own inherent forces,” stressing that this is “the baseline without which no true state can emerge.”

“Taif did not separate political reform from the restoration of state authority, the dissolution of militias, and the restriction of legitimate force exclusively to state institutions," said Salam at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Lebanese constitution.

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem announced Tuesday that "Israel will not be able to remain in southern Lebanon," stressing that Israeli withdrawal is the only "solution."

"The liberation of southern Lebanon is before our very eyes, and Israel will not be able to remain in southern Lebanon, even if it takes time," said Qassem in a televised address.

Energy Minister Joe Saddi, who was named by the Lebanese Forces, announced Tuesday his boycott of cabinet sessions until the government takes the “needed decisions” in the thorny electricity file.

British soldiers from the Support Company of the 4th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS), based at Dhekelia Garrison Cyprus, have arrived in Lebanon to join their Lebanese counterparts in the Air Assault Regiment in a landmark military exercise aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties and enhancing operational readiness, the British embassy said on Monday.

The parliamentary subcommittee tasked with studying draft electoral laws held a session in parliament on Monday, after Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab was accused of calling for such a session to deviate attention from the “priority” of resolving the issue of Hezbollah’s arms.

"The session has concluded, contrary to what was expected by some, especially after what we heard in the media and on social platforms regarding attacks and criticisms over my call for this subcommittee to convene and discuss the laws listed on the agenda, which relate to the electoral law,” Bou Saab said after the session.

Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel noted Monday that Lebanon faces a “historic opportunity” to build a sovereign, independent, and stable state, calling on the state to move from decisions to execution, and not to miss the circumstances available today, as this opportunity may not recur.

“What is required today is the decision to execute. The state has taken decisions in principle, and the time has come to translate them, because the Lebanese want to live in freedom, dignity and safety on their land, and for Lebanon to be a state, not an arena for the conflicts of others,” Gemayel added.

The occupying Israeli forces are preparing for the harsh winter days in southern Lebanon, conducting exercises and improving key positions from which they will be able to control observation and fire on possible targets deep in the area, an Israeli report said, indicating that the Israeli army is not leaving the so-called Yellow Zone anytime soon.

“It is estimated that Hezbollah will continue to try to penetrate the pockets in the Yellow Line and attempt to strike IDF (Israeli army) fighters again,” Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.

MP Hassan Fadlallah of Hezbollah on Monday described the relation between south Lebanon and the Lebanese state as a “one-sided love,” noting that “the historical demand of its people is for this State to be present and fulfill its duties in protection and care.”

“This slogan was raised by Imam Sayyed Abdel Hussein Sharafeddine in 1949, and Imam Sayyed Moussa al-Sadr used to demand it as well. We remained as such generation after generation, and today the Duo -- Hezbollah and the Amal Movement -- are demanding this state,” Fadlallah added.

The head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, has emphasized that "the unity of the Shite stance is sacred at this critical stage," warning that "there are those who want to create division, incite sensitivities, and stir up trouble among the sons of the sect by digging up the unfortunate past."

"There are those working today to dig up the past; why are you digging up the past and reminding us of inter-Shiite fighting? Why remind us of it after we worked for the unity of Lebanon?” asked Khatib in a speech in the Baalbek town of Younine during a memorial ceremony.