The Change and Reform bloc stated on Tuesday that “consensual democracy” should not be exploited to obstruct democratic practices, such as the parliamentary and presidential elections.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan stated after the bloc's weekly meeting: “Those obstructing the parliamentary elections are the same sides that are blocking the presidential polls.”

The military court adjourned on Tuesday the trial of suspects charged with terrorism and the killing of Lebanese soldiers near the southern city of Sidon last year after two of them, including a footballer, failed to attend the hearing.

The trial of the detainees and fugitives was adjourned to November 18. One of the suspects, a Roumieh prison inmate, refused to attend the session at the military court, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam urged the European Union on Tuesday to increase its development assistance to Lebanon to consolidate stability in the country.

“The European Commission and EU member states should be aware of the danger of threats that Lebanon is facing and their social and economic repercussions,” said Salam.

An indictment and arrest warrant were issued on Tuesday against fugitive Sheikh Mustafa al-Hujeiri, who is also known as Abu Taqiyeh, for belonging to al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.

The state-run National News Agency reported that Military Investigative Judge Fadi Sawwan charged Abu Taqiyeh with belonging to the terrorist group of al-Nusra Front with the aim of carrying out terror acts.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan called on politicians on Tuesday to understand the risks and crises imposed by the ongoing presidential vacuum, lashing out at extremism.

“The presidential elections should be staged swiftly to evade the crises gripping Lebanon,” Daryan said after talks with former Prime Minister Salim el-Hoss.

A new video has been released by the Islamic State, claiming a Lebanese soldier from the northern Akkar district has joined the ranks of the terrorist group.

Abdul Menhem Khaled appeared in the IS video, in which he announced his defection.

The names of several presidential candidates have been discussed as potential figures to fill the ongoing vacuum at the Baabda Palace, local newspapers reported on Tuesday.

An Nahar newspaper reported that head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri discussed last week with French President Francois Hollande in Paris the names of four candidates from the March 14 alliance and three centrists.

A meeting was held last week between al-Mustaqbal Movement and AMAL representatives to discuss the controversial extension of parliament's term, As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday.

According to the daily, the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, Speaker Nabih Berri's adviser, and Nader Hariri, head of ex-PM Saad Hariri's office.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to defeat terrorist groups, saying his party would not surrender in the fight against them.

“Victory will be the ally of the mujahideen in their battle against takfiri and terrorist groups the same way it was their ally in the confrontation with the Israeli enemy,” Nasrallah told Hizbullah members during a recent visit to the eastern Bekaa Valley.

The World Bank and the U.S. Treasury Department proposed to Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to reduce the number of working banks in Lebanon from 72 to 25 within a period of five years.

According to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Tuesday, the proposal came in light of the tough measures imposed on transactions, especially those conducted by expatriates.