Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn denied on Wednesday reports saying that he has inked a draft-law that delays the retirement of Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji, based on article 55 of the defense law.

"I haven't signed the decree yet... We're still mulling the adequate solution for the matter," Ghosn told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora has informed President Michel Suleiman about the movement's readiness to participate in an unconditional national dialogue only after the formation of the new government.

A high-ranking source told As Safir newspaper published Wendesday that an al-Mustaqbal delegation headed by Saniora returned from talks with the movement's leader ex-PM Saad Hairri in Jeddah with three conclusions.

President Michel Suleiman will participate in the inauguration ceremony of Iran's President-elect Hassan Rowhani next month, As Safir newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The daily said Suleiman will travel to Tehran on August 3 at the head of a small delegation that includes Deputy Premier Samir Moqbel and Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to comment on Wednesday on the European Union's decision to list the party's military wing as a terrorist organization.

According to local newspapers, Nasrallah speech, which will be delivered during an iftar banquet organized by the Women's Committee of the Islamic Resistance Support Association, will stress that the EU's decision is wrongful.

President Michel Suleiman traveled on Monday to the United States on a private trip, the press office at Baabda palace said, confirming a report in Naharnet a day earlier that the head of state will make a previously unannounced trip.

The terse press release did not provide further details except for saying that Suleiman went on a several day visit.

President Michel Suleiman is scheduled to leave Lebanon within the next few hours on a previously unannounced foreign trip, highly informed sources told Naharnet on Monday.

According to the obtained information, Suleiman's final destination will be the United States, "although he will make a stop at one of the European capitals."

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, held talks Monday evening with President Michel Suleiman, following the decision taken by the EU to blacklist the military wing of Hizbullah.

“The EU is sending an important political message: acts of terrorism are unacceptable irrespective of the perpetrators,” Eichhorst said, according to a press release issued by the EU delegation.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi warned on Sunday that political conflict leads to war, saying there should be a neutral cabinet that comes up with a new electoral law.

“Our salvation comes from political thought and not from political conflicts that lead to war,” al-Rahi said in his sermon at St. Maroun monastery in Annaya.

President Michel Suleiman called on Saturday for reviving the national dialogue, rejecting any attempt to obstruct the formation of a new cabinet.

“I call on the political leaders to take part in reviving the national dialogue sessions to look for the best way to preserve Lebanon's interest and manage its affairs,” Suleiman said in a speech he gave at Saint Joseph University's graduation ceremony.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Saturday Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech, lashing out at his announcement that he's willing to engage in the national dialogue.

“How dare Nasrallah call for dialogue a year after the Baabda declaration was unanimously by all sides,” Geagea said in a statement issued by his press office.