Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan described his meeting with Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea as “friendly and frank” in dealing with issues of contention between the two rival sides, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

He told the daily: “Contacts are ongoing and constant between the two sides and this is a critical phase in the talks.”

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan met on Friday with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea at his Maarab residence as part of preparations for the document of principles between the two sides, as sources close to the conferees denied reports of a possible “bargain” between Geagea and Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun.

OTV revealed that Kanaan and Geagea held talks for two hours aimed at “reducing obstacles” hindering the document.

The Council of Maronite bishops welcomed on Friday the dialogue among the country's different factions, hoping that it would lead to the election of a new president, and urged the Lebanese to back the state at this critical stage.

The bishops hoped in a statement following their monthly meeting in Bkirki that “talks among the Lebanese political parties would be aimed at electing a head of state.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun reiterated on Friday that a decision to extend the term of more than 20 officers in different posts “violates the adopted norms.”

“Some (politicians) are using a political rhetoric and intentions instead of referring to the law and the constitution,” Aoun said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Military Commander General Jean Qahwaji criticized on Thursday Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, stressing that any possible extension for his term is “legitimate and legal according to article 55 of the law defense.”

“Some have a problem with others but are addressing me. They chose the wrong address for their battle,” Qahwaji's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed regret on Wednesday that the state is decaying over the failure to elect a new head of state and expressed optimism on reaching an agreement with his rivals in the Free Patriotic Movement.

“In the absence of a president, the state is eroding bit by bit,” said Geagea during a press conference he held at his residence in Maarab, the same day MPs failed again to elect a new president.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq considered on Wednesday the extension of the term of officers as part of the ongoing malfunction at state institutions.

“If it is a must, then I'll visit (Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel) Aoun to discuss the issue,” Mashnouq said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin praised dialogue among the Lebanese parties, considering it a necessity to combat the challenges and risks that the country is passing through.

“Foreign countries support the dialogue, in particular because it is touching on local and regional issues, in the first place the battle against terrorism and extremism,” Zasypkin said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper on Tuesday.

Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi stressed on Tuesday that dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement is on the right track, pointing out that negotiations are based on fixed principles.

“The meetings will not be folkloric,” Riachi said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he backed a proposal made by Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat to give Lebanon's presidential elections a wider patriotic aspect rather than limiting its discussion to Christians.

But in remarks published in several local newspapers on Monday, Berri stressed that no solution was looming in the horizon on the presidential deadlock.