A decision by the National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat to challenge the suspension of deadlines applicable under the 1960 electoral law has received the “tacit approval” of President Michel Suleiman and al-Mustaqbal bloc chief Fouad Saniora, An Nahar daily reported on Monday.

The Front's intention to challenge before the constitutional council parliament's endorsement of a draft-law that suspended the deadlines until May 19 was revealed by caretaker Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is a member of Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party.

Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora condemned on Friday the release of the names and identities of alleged witnesses in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

He demanded in a statement “the government, officials, and justice minister to crackdown in those who leaked the names to media and who are practicing political and media terrorism.”

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam launched on Tuesday consultations with parliamentary blocs on the shape and type of the new government.

Salam kicked off the consultations with a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri at the parliament. He later held talks with Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, who said following the meeting that he called for the formation of a government whose main purpose will be to hold the elections.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam began on Monday to tour former premiers in a protocol measure ahead of holding consultations with parliamentary blocs on the type of the government and the division of portfolios.

Salam's first stop was the residence of caretaker PM Najib Miqati in Verdun.

Former premier Fouad Saniora, head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc, on Sunday announced that “major progress” has been made toward agreeing on a hybrid electoral law among the various parties, on the eve of a key parliamentary session.

“We have made great progress in expressing the desire we are insisting on, which is holding the elections, and we hope we will reach a hybrid law that mixes the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems,” Saniora said after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, which was also attended by Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan.

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora hoped on Sunday for a “homogenous group” in the government that Premier-designate Tammam Salam will start forming next week.

“We should unite and help the formation of the cabinet,” Saniora told his visitors in Sidon.

Eighty-six lawmakers nominated Beirut MP Tammam Salam for the premiership on the first day of binding parliamentary consultations at the Baabda Palace, winning key endorsements from across the political spectrum.

The consultations kicked off on Friday with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who stated after meeting with President Michel Suleiman that he nominates Salam for the premiership.

March 14 opposition alliance lawmakers are scheduled to hold a meeting at the Center House to take a final stance on the person they will name for the premiership during the binding consultations at Baabda palace, informed sources said Wednesday.

While the sources did not reveal to An Nahar newspaper when the meeting will be held, high-ranking al-Mustaqbal movement officials told As Safir that the final decision on the opposition’s candidate will be made on Thursday night.

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour is expected to hold talks with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader former Prime Minister Saad Hariri as part of consultations over the formation of the new cabinet.

Sources told the pan-Arab daily al—Hayat on Monday that Abou Faour, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, will meet with Hariri on the name of the PM-designate.

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora on Saturday met with President Michel Suleiman before traveling to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Saniora held talks with Suleiman at Baabda palace on Saturday morning. He then traveled to Riyadh at the head of a delegation from al-Mustaqbal movement.