Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Thursday lauded remarks by Prime Minister Tammam Salam on “turning the page” on the stormy July 9 cabinet session, as he stressed that no resolutions would be passed in cabinet without “consensus” among all its components.

“We appreciate his stance, especially that there is an intention to open a new chapter,” said Bassil at a press conference, describing Salam's statement as “responsible.”

The government failed on Thursday to reach a decision on its working mechanism and the waste crisis but agreed to continue discussions next week.

The session was held at the Grand Serail amid a “disgust” expressed by Prime Minister Tammam Salam over the failure to bridge the gap between the bickering sides in the government.

Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi informed Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Thursday that Saudi Arabia encourages the rapprochement between the two parties.

Riachi, who is LF chief Samir Geagea's envoy, delivered a message to Aoun during a visit he made to Rabieh that Riyadh “backs and encourages Christian rapprochement,” local media reported.

The Free Patriotic Movement has snapped back at Prime Minister Tammam Salam over his criticism that the party is paralyzing the cabinet, warning him not to hold it accountable.

“Our role in today's cabinet session lies in questioning and holding accountable and not being held accountable over paralysis,” Education Minister Elias Bou Saab told al-Joumhouria daily published Thursday.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam has expressed “disgust” and “concern” over the failure to bridge the gap between the bickering sides in the government.

Local dailies quoted officials who have visited Salam as saying that the premier is “disgusted” from the situation after extensive consultations between the different parties failed to bring viewpoints closer.

Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea accused Iran of thwarting the presidential elections in Lebanon through its ally Hizbullah, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Wednesday.

He told the daily: “The presence of a president will weaken Hizbullah's role in Lebanon.”

The army will take strict measures in the vicinity of the Grand Serail while cabinet is in session on Thursday, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

A prominent military source told the daily: “The army is ready for all scenarios.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said on Tuesday that his party does not intend to topple Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government.

“Toppling the cabinet led by Tammam Salam is not among the objectives that we are currently working for,” Aoun told Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, a candidate for the country's top Christian post, has accused Iran of causing Lebanon's presidential deadlock.

“Iran is responsible for the obstruction of the presidential elections in Lebanon,” Geagea told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published on Tuesday.

The cabinet is set to meet on Thursday but its bickering parties have not yet reached a settlement to avoid a growing crisis, government officials told al-Mustaqbal daily.

The officials, who were not identified, said: “So far, there is no solution, nor a proposal, nor any settlement.”