In light of controversy over inviting Syria to Beirut’s economic summit, Lebanon’s foreign ministry, as part of “protocol rules,” has sent invitations to the accredited ambassadors including Syria to attend the opening of the summit this weekend, al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

Dispatched by Speaker Nabih Berri, MP Anwar al-Khalil of the Development and Liberation bloc held talks Wednesday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, a few hours after a landmark Maronite summit in Bkirki.

“Speaker Nabih Berri asked me to relay his appreciation to His Eminence Patriarch al-Rah for this comprehensive and complete national stance that pays attention to the critical situation that Lebanon is going through, and for those good words that he heard during the opening of Bkirki’s meeting today,” al-Khalil said after meeting al-Rahi in Bkirki.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Wednesday ridiculed the tour that U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale carried out in Lebanon a few days ago, as he stressed that the solution to the government formation deadlock is “domestic.”

“David Hale knows very well that he is not in a position that allows him to dictate things on Lebanon and its officials, and he who does not see the daily Israeli violations against Lebanon as an aggression… is not eligible to give advices about citizenship and Lebanon’s future,” Qassem said.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on Wednesday expressed regret for the absence of the Libyan delegation from the Beirut economic summit expected in the weekend, affirming that good ties with “ Arab brothers” must prevail.

Maronite leaders and lawmakers gathered in Bkirki stressed Wednesday that “no one has the right to create a new identity for Lebanon,” as they threw their support behind the presidency.

The summit was held following an invitation from Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi sounded the alarm on Wednesday during a “consultative” gathering in Bkirki, that brought the main Christian party leaders and deputies together, on the Lebanese unity and highlighted the need for a “national unified awakening” in order to protect the republic.

In opening remarks he made at the beginning of the meeting he said it aims to take into consideration the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese.

The Lebanese embassy in Washington has reportedly sent a “confidential” cable to Beirut containing the United States' positions, which “rejects” Syria’s invitation to Beirut’s economic summit, and “threatens of imposing sanctions against Lebanon” shall it participates in the reconstruction of Syria, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

MP Alain Aoun of the Strong Lebanon bloc stressed Tuesday that President Michel Aoun has not changed “his stance on Hizbullah,” describing reports claiming otherwise as “fictitious.”

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc on Tuesday condemned the removal of a Libya flag in Beirut at the hands of AMAL Movement supporters, saying that it “rejects any act that contravenes state authority because it would not be in Lebanon's interest.”

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Tuesday received a lengthy phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during which a host of issues were discussed, the National News Agency reported.

They discussed “the issue of security and safety in Lebanon and the importance of preserving stability without linking the country to the region's problems, especially in terms of forming the government,” NNA said