Lebanese leaders have reached an “implicit understanding” to fund the international tribunal after receiving Western warnings about possible sanctions if Lebanon rejects to pay its share of funds, An Nahar daily reported Friday.

The newspaper said that President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Najib Miqati have been informed by Western officials that any procrastination in the payment of Lebanon’s share would expose it to sanctions that could target its banking sector.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly stressed on Monday the need for Lebanon to commit to all of its international obligations.

She made her statement after holding talks with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.

President Michel Suleiman defended on Thursday Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s recent statements, saying that they stem from his role as the representative of Christians in Lebanon and the region.

He said after holding talks with the Patriarch in Diman: “The Patriarch succeeded in voicing to the French state the Christians’ concerns over sectarian tensions and the naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.”

The drivers’ union suspended its nationwide strike that was scheduled to be held on Thursday after reaching a late-night deal with Prime Minister Najib Miqati for the finance ministry to begin receiving the requests of fuel subsidy payments starting Monday.

The strike was aimed at protesting the government’s failure to deliver on a monthly LL400,000 fuel subsidy promised in May. Public drivers were seeking to hold the strike between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Phalange Party MP Nadim Gemayel condemned on Wednesday the possession of illegitimate arms in Lebanon, saying that President Michel Suleiman and Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s positions on Hizbullah’s weapons won’t change the fact that they are illegitimate.

He said after a mass commemorating the 29th anniversary of the assassination of his father, former President Bashir Gemayel: “They believe that the army cannot protect Lebanon and therefore allowing one faction to carry arms encourages others to turn to arms as well.”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Monday that Lebanon strongly condemns all forms of terrorism as it upholds dialogue and humanitarian acts.

He said in a cable to U.S. President Barack Obama: “The Lebanese people and I sympathize with you at the time when your country remembers the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took the lives of the innocent.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s ministerial council voiced its full support for Lebanon’s stability, unity, and security, reported the daily al-Liwaa on Monday.

It hoped during its meeting in Jeddah Sunday that Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s government would succeed in achieving the stability that the Lebanese people aspire for.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi asserted on Sunday that the statements he made in France “were taken out of context and therefore they were misinterpreted,” reported the daily An Nahar on Monday.

He announced upon his return to Lebanon from his visit to France that his talks with French officials focused on reform in the Arab world.

An agreement over overdue funds owed to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, totaling $32 million, is expected to be reached before President Michel Suleiman travels to New York City on September 18 to take part in the United Nations General Assembly, reported al-Liwaa daily on Friday.

The funds could be made through a budget surplus or treasury advance, revealed Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s sources.

A decree on the formation of the Internal Security forces command council was approved by President Michel Suleiman, PM Najib Miqati, Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Tuesday.

An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that the selected officers who were tasked to lead the units were already filling the same posts as caretakers.