Maronite Bishop Samir Mazloum stressed on Wednesday that Bkirki encourages dialogue between the rival Christian parties, expressing hope that talks among the arch-foes would lead to extensive results.

Mazloum denied in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper that any Christian party is boycotting Bkirki, pointing out that it “isn't standing with any side against another.”

The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc noted Tuesday that Israel's airstrike that killed six Hizbullah fighters and a top Iranian general on Sunday in Syria was aimed at “obstructing the regional and local negotiations.”

“We condemn the Israeli attack on Quneitra and extend condolences to the families of the martyrs and to the resistance,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting in Rabieh.

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin has said that the election of a new president requires the development of dialogue among the rival Christian parties.

The Lebanese should resolve the presidential deadlock by finding what they have in common, the diplomat told As Safir daily in remarks published on Monday.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun is expected to attend the next meeting between representatives of the movement and the Lebanese Forces, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday.

An LF source told the daily that the meeting is scheduled to take place next week.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Sunday that dialogue had already kicked off with the Free Patriotic Movement, pointing out that talks will not only focus on the presidential deadlock but also touches on basic and notable matters.

“We are not seeking to carry out a dialogue to take pictures,” Geagea said in an interview published in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah.

Messages exchanged between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces included issues linked to stability in Lebanon and the flaws in the implementation of the Taef Accord, An Nahar daily reported on Thursday.

LF leader Samir Geagea revealed during a press conference on Wednesday that both sides have exchanged the messages ahead of his expected talks with his rival, FPM chief MP Michel Aoun.

Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi stressed on Wednesday that the party didn't ask Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun to withdraw his candidacy to resolve the presidential stalemate.

“The LF didn't urge Aoun to withdraw his candidacy just as (LF leader Samir) Geagea will not back down from the presidential run,” Riachi said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan on Monday held a meeting with a Lebanese Forces official to set the stage for talks between Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and LF chief Samir Geagea, stressing that the dialogue aims to contribute to joint action.

Kanaan told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that the “objective of the dialogue is to contribute to a joint action base on many issues.”

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan denied that the upcoming dialogue between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces is a direct result of the talks between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement, stressing it aims at finding a presidential candidate without the interference of outside powers.

“Talks with the LF is not a reaction to the ongoing dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal,” Kanaan told al-Liwaa newspaper in an interview published on Monday.

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan stressed on Friday the importance of organizing the ties between Christians.

Kanaan, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that “any presidential breakthrough would resolve several political disputes.”