Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas confirmed on Monday that he was tasked with bridging differences among top officials on an electricity project that has threatened the unity of the government.
In remarks to As Safir daily, Nahhas said Premier Najib Miqati urged him to hold consultations with officials in an attempt to find a consensual formula ahead of a Sept. 7 cabinet session to discuss the electricity draft law.

President Michel Suleiman on Sunday visited Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat at the Mukhtara palace, following talks on Saturday between the two men at the Beiteddine Palace.
Talks in Mukhtara tackled the latest political developments in Lebanon and the region, state-run National News Agency reported.

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas is conducting behind the scenes contacts with various officials in order to prepare the suitable conditions to hold the cabinet session on September 7, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.
Nahhas, representing Premier Najib Miqati, has so far held talks with President Michel Suleiman and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

President Michel Suleiman said Friday that political stability backed by security stability contributes to a large extent to economic growth in the country.
In a statement issued by his press office, Suleiman expressed his confidence in the ability of the Lebanese economy to rise and adjust to the developments due to the investments that Lebanese expatriates make in the country.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Thursday President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, the army, and security forces for their shortcomings in dealing with the developments in the town of Lassa, holding them “responsible before history” for the ongoing incidents taking place in the area.
He said after holding talks with a delegation from the town and other Jbeil District areas: “You will be held accountable because you are allowing the people to resolve their disputes in their own hands, is this acceptable?”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Thursday the importance of holding dialogue between all the political factions.
He noted: “Dialogue has become a necessity for all countries and not just Lebanon.”

British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher presented his credentials to President Michel Suleiman at Beiteddine Palace on Thursday, the British embassy said in a statement.
In his first official statement via a video message in Arabic and English, Fletcher said: ‘‘I am delighted to be taking up this post, and determined to do all I can to enhance the partnership between the UK and this extraordinary country.”

A solution to the electricity crisis could come through calm dialogue among the bickering parties, sources close to Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said insisting that the differences with the Free Patriotic Movement were not political.
The sources told several Beirut newspapers published Thursday that the timeframe ahead of the Sept. 7 cabinet session could pave way for a deal on the electricity bill to allocate $1.2 billion dollars to Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to generate 700 megawatts of electricity.

President Michel Suleiman has warned cabinet ministers against division on a controversial electricity bill, saying the government shouldn’t collapse over “technical” differences between ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.
Suleiman’s sources told As Safir daily published Thursday that the president’s warning came during a 10-minute cabinet session held at the Baabda palace.

A cabinet session aimed at discussing a controversial electricity plan was postponed to September 7 after ministers failed again to agree on the allocation of $1.2 billion to Energy Minister Jebran Bassil.
President Michel Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati held closed door talks ahead of the session at Baabda palace. Later, Ministers Bassil, Mohammed Fneish and Ali Hassan Khalil joined them.
