The Mustaqbal bloc welcomed on Tuesday President Michel Suleiman’s desire to call the different political parties to resume the national dialogue.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting headed by former Premier Fouad Saniora: “In order for the dialogue to be successful, Hizbullah’s arms must be the only issue on its agenda.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun hoped on Tuesday that the government would immediately start addressing the people’s concerns.

He added after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “Parliament’s extraordinary sessions are aimed at keeping up with the cabinet’s functioning.”

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s Victims’ Participation Unit released on Tuesday a public service announcement video inviting victims to participate in the judicial process at the tribunal, said the STL’s press office.

The announcement explains how victims of the February 14, 2005 attack that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri can apply to participate in the judicial proceedings, it added.

The international tribunal’s Appeals Chamber ruled on Tuesday Jamil al-Sayyed’s latest appeal admissible and referred the case back to the Pre-Trial Judge for further consideration.

The former chief of the General Security Department, who was detained for four years in connection with the February 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, has appealed Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen's decision to give him partial access to his case file.

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stated on Tuesday that the government’s functioning began despite the obstacles issued by some sides aimed at hindering its mission.

He noted that the cabinet’s recent agreement on various appointments in state positions is a sign of the productivity it is aspiring for.

The head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohammed Raad stated on Tuesday that the government advocated the “equation of victory of the army, people, and Resistance.”

He added: “The enemy and its masters want to target the Resistance because it represents what is left of dignity in this world.”

Firefighters doused a huge blaze that engulfed a grains depot on the Jdita-Dahr al-Baidar road on Tuesday after the flames spread to the warehouse from a truck that was on fire.

The National News Agency said that the truck, which was loaded with cement, hit an abandoned building on the side of the road and went on fire, killing its Syrian driver Mohammed Shehade.

The new Director-General of the General Security Department Abbas Ibrahim hoped that he’s up to the tasks he’s been assigned to, “because it’s the time to work and cooperate with different parties.”

“Lebanon needs all its citizens, and efforts should be exerted to halt saboteurs from achieving their goals,” Ibrahim told al-Liwaa newspaper on Tuesday.

The March 14-backed opposition is mulling to reject President Michel Suleiman’s invitation for national dialogue over claims that Hizbullah’s arms are no longer acceptable.

An Nahar daily quoted March 14 decision-makers as saying that the opposition might not respond to Suleiman’s request given that it has already launched a campaign against Hizbullah’s weapons and the discussion of the issue during all-party talks is useless.

Speaker Nabih Berri said that the cabinet led by PM Najib Miqati is promising. He stressed the importance of exerting efforts to intensify the government’s weekly meetings so that citizens would feel the difference.

As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday that Berri suggested that the cabinet should hold a special session to highlight the basis and the principles that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel should follow while drafting the elections law.