Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri urged al-Mustaqbal supporters in the northern district of Koura on Thursday to vote for March 14 candidate Fadi Karam during the weekend by-elections as the rival candidates expressed confidence in their victory.

Karam stressed that the March 14 campaign officials are cooperating to prepare for Sunday’s elections.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri slammed on Sunday the government for its “total disrespect of the lives of our citizens and our sovereignty” given the recent unrest in northern Lebanon.

He said via Twitter: “The Lebanese are not surprised their government doesn't care if our citizens are killed and sovereignty violated by Syrian regime.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati urged on Friday the residents of Akkar to exercise restraint following their blocking of roads in protest against the release of three officers and eight soldiers linked to the death of Sheikhs Ahmed Abdul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb.

He revealed in a statement that he had contacted Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi on Thursday, requesting that he study the possibility of referring the case to the judicial council ahead of placing the issue at the cabinet agenda.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri slammed on Thursday the latest security instability in Lebanon, most notably the unrest in Beirut, saying that any action on the ground is aimed at “undermining the authority of the state.”

He said in a statement: “The street action was not conducted by undisciplined forces as some sides would lead the people to believe, but some powers are orchestrating the developments in order to create chaos, terrorize the people, and undermine the state’s authority.”

Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz's funeral was held on Sunday with the participation of a number of Lebanese officials.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati took part in the service that was held at the Sacred Mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

Lebanese leaders mourned on Saturday the death of Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz who died after a battle with illness.

President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri expressed their condolences to Saudi King Abdullah and the Saudi people.

President Michel Suleiman, former Premier Saad Hariri, Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi al-Aridi, and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri denied LBC’s report on Monday on their meeting with Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh held earlier in June, reported al-Mustaqbal daily on Tuesday.

Suleiman adamantly denied to the daily the report, wondering: “I know what I have said … Is it possible for the president of Lebanon to request Saudi mediation with Israel on any matter?”

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has admitted that he conspired with Syria and Iran against a Qatari-Turkish initiative, forcing the collapse of ex-Premier Saad Hariri’s government in early 2011, media reports said Tuesday.

“I carried out the coup along with Premier (Najib) Miqati,” Jumblat told 16 leaders meeting at Baabda palace under President Michel Suleiman at the national dialogue session. “We conspired with Syria and Iran against the Qatari-Turkish initiative.”

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) on Monday broadcasted leaked minutes of the Riyadh meeting between President Michel Suleiman and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

LBC said that Suleiman asked Abdullah to put pressure on March 14 forces to participate in national dialogue.

The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.

The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”