Serious consultations are underway between Premier-designate Najib Miqati and the two main Christian parties in the March 14 forces -- the Phalange and the Lebanese Forces -- to mull their participation in the new cabinet.

High-ranking Phalange party officials told An Nahar daily in remarks published Tuesday that dialogue between the two sides was “serious” and that contacts started between Miqati and Phalange leader Amin Gemayel through telephone conversations and several meetings.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare on Monday responded to the "preliminary questions of law" raised by Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen after the prosecutor filed a confidential indictment in the Hariri murder for confirmation.

Fransen is tasked with confirming the charges in the indictment filed under seal by Bellemare on January 17, and is allowed to ask the tribunal's organs questions of a legal nature in the process of doing so.

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed on Monday that Lebanon is now powerful than it has ever been, as it has it has stood strong before "the winds of U.S. hegemony".

He added that Israel's threats against Lebanon have also weakened, emphasizing the Resistance's readiness to confront all challenges.

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin announced Monday that Russia will maintain its “supportive approach” towards Lebanon.

He said after holding talks with Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh: “We always want Lebanon to be a free, sovereign, and independent country, which is why we support all efforts that help Lebanon head on the democratic path.”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Monday the importance of preserving national unity and security to consolidate the democratic atmosphere that Lebanon enjoys.

A statement released by his press office said Suleiman told his visitors that the future cabinet should confront the latest challenges and solve social and administrative problems.

Israeli troops on Sunday carried out patrols along the Jewish state’s border with southern Lebanon and monitored Lebanese territories, pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reported.

The soldiers also carried out maintenance work at several positions from where they monitor Lebanon, the newspaper said.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat accused former Premier Fouad Saniora of hoping for the failure of Saad Hariri as prime minister so that he returns to the premiership.

In an interview with the Qatari al-Watan daily on Monday, Jumblat said: “If I was Sheikh Saad I would have participated in Najib Miqati’s government without hesitation.”

Premier-designate Najib Miqati held talks with Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel on Sunday night, sources close to the billionaire businessman told An Nahar daily.

Miqati had held a telephone conversation with Gemayel before the alleged meeting.

Syrian President Bashar Assad said he was pleased with the “smooth transition” between the two Lebanese governments, unveiling that any conflict would have evolved into civil war in Lebanon.

"What pleases me is that this transition between the two governments happened smoothly, because we were worried," Assad told The Wall Street Journal in a rare interview published Monday.

Premier-designate Najib Miqati might not form his government before the 6th anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination, media reports said Monday.

Political circles following up the contacts on cabinet formation ruled out in remarks to An Nahar daily a final government line-up before mid February.