Speaker Nabih Berri lauded on Sunday a meeting held with al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri, describing talks as “fruitful.”

“We discussed endeavors to safeguard the country and the election of a new head of state,” Berri said in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb criticized on Sunday endeavors that aim at appointing a new commander for the Lebanese army amid the presidential vacuum.

“We are prohibited from appointing a new army chief and impose it on any new head of state without him having a say in the decision,” Harb lamented in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stated that defense strategies all over the world include articles on criminalizing fighting outside of home soil, adding that he is seeking to devise an article on this matter for Lebanon's strategy, reported Kuwait's al-Rai newspaper.

He told the daily in an interview set be published on Sunday: “I insist on criminalizing any fighting of Lebanese, whether they be Hizbullah or anyone else, on foreign soil.”

Head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora stressed on Saturday the need to respect the constitution and avoid violating, while rejecting the “approval of new practices that would create confusion at cabinet.”

He said during a seminar in the southern city of Sidon: “Such measures have already rendered the government incapable of exercising its duties towards the citizens.”

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel justified on Saturday his decision to extend the term of Higher Defense Council chief Mohammed Khair, saying he did it out of the interest of the military institution, reported the daily An Nahar.

He told the daily: “I took the decision out of my personal convictions and keenness to safeguard the functioning of the military institution at this critical time.”

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.”

Qatar's mediation to release the servicemen abducted by Islamist gunmen have intensified in recent days, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Saturday.

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim has meanwhile expressed his satisfaction with the course of the negotiations, official sources told the daily.

Speaker Nabih Berri held a banquet Friday evening in honor of al-Mustaqbal chief Saad Hariri where several local issues were discussed.

The meeting between the two political leaders took place at Berri's residence in Ain al-Tineh in the presence of Hariri's adviser Nader Hariri and Berri's political aide Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour terminated on Friday the hospitalization contract of Hotel Dieu de France hospital for failing to admit a disabled woman.

He said: “It violated its contract for refusing to grant treatment to a patient who carried a disability card.”

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.