Change and Reform bloc leader and presidential hopeful MP Michel Aoun will not meet his rival in the race MP Suleiman Franjieh ahead of Monday's presidential elections, because the latter did not withdraw his nomination, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily reported on Friday.

Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh called Thursday on his supporters not to “take to the streets” on Monday, stressing that he is only seeking a “democratic” presidential vote session.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi announced Thursday that a strong president is a president who draws strength from “his people and our support for him.”

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Thursday that the looming presidential tenure of FPM founder MP Michel Aoun will be characterized by “real national unity.”

Resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi on Thursday lauded Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel for announcing that his party “will not take part in the current presidential deal.”

Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel announced Thursday that his party will vote according to its “firm principles” in Monday's presidential election session and that it “will not take part in the current presidential deal” that will put Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun in the Baabda Palace.

A delegation from MP Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement held talks Thursday with Democratic Gathering bloc MP and presidential candidate Henri Helou.

Saudi State Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan arrived in Beirut Thursday for talks with Lebanese officials, a few days before a presidential vote that is expected to see the election of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun as the country's new president.

The cabinet on Thursday held a “successful” session that could be the last of its meetings should the parliament elect a new president on Monday as expected.

Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi stressed the need to encourage dialogue to pave way for a speedy formation of the government, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

“Today we should work together to encourage dialogue so as to ensure a broad national understanding that allows a rapid formation of the government, so that this covenant could be able with the government to carry the responsibilities entrusted, taking into account the upcoming parliamentary elections,” said Moussawi.