The director for United Nations and international organizations in the French Foreign Ministry Nicolas de Riviere renewed on Tuesday France’s support to Lebanon and its commitment to maintaining the stability and security of the South.

The French Embassy said in a statement: “De Riviere informed Lebanese officials during his trip to Lebanon that France will remain part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in order to preserve the stability of Lebanon and the region.”

President Michel Suleiman on Monday expressed his “relief” after Syria signed a protocol with the Arab League to allow observers to monitor the implementation of an Arab deal to end nine months of bloodshed, in comments carried by state-run National News Agency.

“Syria’s signing of the protocol with the Arab League would pave the ground for addressing all the aspects of the ongoing crisis, putting the democratic system into practice in a full manner, and restoring security and civil peace,” Suleiman said.

President Michel Suleiman has reportedly informed Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun that he would favor Judge Antoine Daher for the post of Higher Judicial Council president.

Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV said Suleiman’s suggestion came during talks with Aoun on Saturday.

President Michel Suleiman criticized on Friday the labeling of constitutional institutions with sectarian descriptions, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

He said, according to his visitors: “I will not take sides in any sectarian dispute in Lebanon.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati is expected to head to Paris in January to meet with senior French officials including President Nicolas Sarkozy, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday.

According to the daily, he will discuss two issues during his stay in France, the first is related to the economy while the second is aimed at stressing the importance of the foreign support granted to the Lebanese army.

President Michel Suleiman has signed a decree to promote 24 colonels in the Internal Security Forces to the rank of brigadier general but excluded the head of the ISF’s Information Branch, Col. Wissam al-Hassan.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel announced Thursday that al-Hassan’s promotion will take place in accordance with a decree to be issued on January 1, 2012 after having completed six years in service.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Thursday Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement’s agreement on nominating Judge Tannous Meshleb as their candidate for the presidency of the Higher Judicial Council, deeming it an attempt to politicize the judiciary.

He told the Central News Agency: “This is a dangerous and unprecedented development that is part of Hizbullah’s ongoing attempt to take over the state.”

The cabinet has approved a draft law that would allow Lebanese expatriates to apply for the citizenship of their country of origin, a move that would help them in the future to take part in parliamentary elections.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told An Nahar daily on Tuesday that the draft law was approved with minor amendments. He said only the children of fathers and grandfathers of Lebanese origin would get the citizenship and not the children of Lebanese mothers who are married to foreigners.

Lebanon’s top Maronite leaders are expected to discuss the repercussions of the region’s upheaval on Lebanon in a meeting scheduled to be held in Bkirki on Friday, An Nahar daily reported Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, the dangerous situation in southern Lebanon would be at the top of issues to be discussed by Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Marada movement’s head Suleiman Franjieh.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised on Sunday Lebanon’s condemnation of Friday’s attack against the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, confirmed that he will visit Lebanon in January.

He told Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour that he will visit the country on January 13 and 14.