The anticipated binding parliamentary consultations to name a new Premier have been postponed until December 19 for “further consultations on the government,” after violent clashes erupted over the weekend between protesters and security forces.

The Presidency office of President Michel Aoun issued a statement shortly before the scheduled consultations at Baabda Palace saying that “President Aoun responded to the wishes of (caretaker) prime minister Saad Hariri to postpone parliamentary consultations until Thursday December 19.”

Several Arab and international leaders have sounded the alarm about the latest developments in Lebanon urging its leaders to “listen” to the people’s demands amid sweeping protests demanding an overhaul of the entire political class and an unprecedented economic crisis.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri reportedly held a “secret” meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh on Saturday, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

The daily said that discussions tackled several “suggestions,” on the formation of the government, that Berri believes must be addressed "quickly," said the daily.

Caretaker Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan on Sunday blamed “infiltrators” for Sunday’s clashes in central Beirut, urging “peaceful protesters” to leave the area.

In remarks to MTV, al-Hassan also expressed concern that the violence could be part of a “plot” to obstruct parliamentary consultations to a pick a new premier scheduled for Monday.

Security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons Sunday evening in a bid to disperse protesters outside Beirut’s Nejmeh Square, after firecrackers and bottles were hurled at them.

Several protesters disavowed the individuals who hurled the dozens of firecrackers, describing them as “infiltrators.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri held a “secret” meeting with President Michel Aoun in Baabda on Saturday evening, TV networks reported on Sunday.

The reports said the talks tackled “the governmental developments on the eve of the binding parliamentary consultations” to pick a new premier.

Hizbullah Central Council member Sheikh Nabil Qaouq on Sunday said that hisQaouq: We Want Govt. that Wins Confidence of People on Streets, in Homes

Hizbullah Central Council member Sheikh Nabil Qaouq on Sunday said that his party wants a government that would “win the confidence of people present on the streets and in their homes.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s will not change his stance on the need to form a government of experts that would be able to confront the economic and social challenges, sources close to him said.

“Should he be designated to form the new government, PM Hariri will seek to form an integrated team comprising figures who have expertise,” LBCI TV quoted the Center House sources as saying.

Senior al-Mustaqbal Movement official ex-MP Mustafa Alloush has hinted that caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri will not reject his re-nomination for the PM post in Monday’s binding parliamentary consultations.

“Hariri does not want to dodge his responsibilities in these critical moments,” Alloush said in a TV interview.

Unknown individuals overnight vandalized two offices belonging to the Free Patriotic Movement and al-Mustaqbal Movement in the northern district of Akkar, the National News Agency said.

NNA said the FPM’s office in the Akkar town of al-Joumeh was attacked around 3:00 am.