The death toll from the clashes in Tripoli rose to six on Monday and the fighting intensified in the evening despite a reported army plan to impose a ceasefire.

"The fighting frontiers in Tripoli are witnessing fierce clashes and the sounds of RPG explosions are echoing heavily in the city, while army units are continuing to respond to the sources of fire," state-run National News Agency reported.

Hizbullah is seeking the approval of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on the rotation of portfolios in the new government after reports emerged that he was opposing such a move.

A Hizbullah delegation made up of Hussein Khalil and Wafiq Safa are negotiating with Aoun to convince him into approving the rotation which is likely to be between parties and sects.

Speaker Nabih Berri expected on Monday that the cabinet would be formed in the middle of this week, pointing out that contacts are ongoing over the formation of an all-embracing government.

“The cabinet is expected to be formed this week if no unforeseen complications and surprises loomed to the surface,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has expressed surprise at attempts to impose conditions on the policy statement before the formation of the new government.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Monday, Salam said such conditions are unconstitutional.

The road leading to the Naameh garbage landfill remained blocked on Sunday evening, although a settlement was reached between Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam and the follow-up committee to reopen the landfill for 48 hours.

The landfill's closure has forced the Sukleen company to suspend the collection of waste in Beirut and its suburbs, the thing that has created piles of garbage in the streets.

Clashes continued Sunday in the northern city of Tripoli, raising the casualty toll to at least one dead and 24 injured in two days of fighting.

“Abir al-Kayyal has died of wounds she incurred in the ongoing clashes between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen,” state-run National News Agency reported in the evening.

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel on Sunday called for the formation of an “interim” and “all-embracing” cabinet that would prepare for the upcoming important junctures, especially the presidential election.

“We are before three essential and critical junctures that would decide Lebanon's future: the presidential vote, the formation of the new cabinet and the presidential elections,” Gemayel said during a press conference.

President Michel Suleiman on Sunday announced that he has asked security forces to protect Lebanese towns near the border with Syria “from any attack.”

“Suleiman has asked military and security officials to take all the necessary measures to protect Lebanese villages and towns near the border with Syria,” said a message published on the president's Twitter account.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Sunday a real official does not take advantage of the people to seek his own interests.

In his sermon during mass held in Bkirki, al-Rahi lamented that Lebanese officials seek the support of their followers to get personal benefits at the expense of the nation.

Officials close to Premier-designate Tammam Salam expressed a cautious optimism on the government formation process and said ex-Premier Saad Hariri proved his good intentions when he announced he was ready to share power with Hizbullah.

Salam is “cautiously optimistic” over the latest developments after nine months of stalemate on the cabinet formation, the officials told al-Mustaqbal daily published on Sunday.