Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said Thursday that he hasn't lost hope on the ability of rival lawmakers to reach consensus on an electoral draft-law ahead of this year's parliamentary polls.

In remarks to An Nahar newspaper, Geagea said: “The efforts to find consensus (among the different factions) should continue no matter what.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel held a lengthy phone conversation on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments regarding the electoral law.

"Both parties agreed to keep communication ongoing in this matter,” a statement released by the LF said.

Former PM Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea agreed to keep up efforts in a bid to find a new electoral law that guarantees national consensus, on the backdrop of Tuesday's approval of the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal, the al-Joumhouria daily said Wednesday.

In a lengthy phone call overnight, the two men touched on the thorny draft-law that was approved by the joint parliamentary committees, amid a walkout by the lawmakers of al-Mustaqbal bloc, the National Struggle Front and some independent Christian March 14 MPs.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader former PM Saad Hariri condemned on Tuesday the approval of the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft-law, describing the step as a “black day in the history of the parliament.”

“Approving the Orthodox electoral draft-law in the joint parliamentary committees is a black day in the history of legislative work,” Hariri said on his twitter account.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat held “positive” talks with Saudi officials over the weekend, local newspapers reported on Monday.

The three-day official visit was considered as an attempt to bridge the gap between the Druze leader and Saudi Arabia after ties worsened in 2011.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated on Saturday that those “protecting the killers of late PM Rafik Hariri have no right to talk about his history”.

Hariri's Twitter statement came as a response to Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's Saturday speech during which he said the late PM was supportive of the party's arms until “peace was reached in the Middle East”.

Obstacles are blocking attempts by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon, media reports said on Saturday, as the situation in the neighboring country Syria is expected to have a “strong” impact on Lebanon which may prompt the postponement of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

“Hariri is receiving advises from local, regional and international security agencies not to return to Lebanon,” al-Joumhouria newspaper reported.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Friday that the government is committed to the draft law that it referred to parliament.

“An active law already exists, that of the 1960 law,” which was adopted during the 2009 elections, he remarked.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati headed on Friday a meeting for previous premiers to brief them on the results of the discussions with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani to resolve the dispute over the elections of the Higher Islamic Council.

The meeting was held in presence of former PMs Fouad Saniora and Salim al-Hoss in the absence of former PM Omar Karami.

Former Premier Saad Hariri said in a speech marking the 8th anniversary of ex-PM Rafik Hariri's murder that he will return to Lebanon to take part in the elections “whatever the law, the challenges and the risks," noting that "the problem is not a fatal mistake in Arsal," but rather the "fatal arms widespread across Lebanon."

“This is the eighth year, and you are resilient, committed to faith in the state and in legitimacy, loyal to Rafik Hariri’s cause,” Hariri said, addressing March 14's supporters in a nationally televised address.