The Maronite Bishops Council hailed on Wednesday efforts exerted by rival parties to resolve the ongoing disputes, saying that the country requires a more comprehensive dialogue that includes the national principles.

“Lebanon has no future if it remains taken hostage by the regional and local disputes,” the council said after it's monthly meeting in Bkirki, expressing hope that talks between the political arch-foes would be fruitful.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan on Monday held a meeting with a Lebanese Forces official to set the stage for talks between Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and LF chief Samir Geagea, stressing that the dialogue aims to contribute to joint action.

Kanaan told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that the “objective of the dialogue is to contribute to a joint action base on many issues.”

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi reportedly asked Hizbullah to convince its ally Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun to head to the parliament to elect a new head of state or withdraw from the presidential race and choose a compromise candidate that would be acceptable to all sides.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Saturday, Hizbullah rejected al-Rahi's request and informed him that the party backs Aoun's candidacy until the end.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea has said that he “intended” to meet with his rival Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, vowing not to give up on the talks easily.

“There is no set date but the intention is there,” Geagea told al-Akhbar newspaper in an interview published on Monday.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun confirmed that he would hold unconditional talks with his rival Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea but refused to give up his candidacy for the presidential post.

Aoun told al-Akhbar daily in an interview published on Thursday that he would meet with Geagea when the LF chief returns from his visit to Riyadh.

The crises gripping Lebanon due to the ongoing vacuum at the Baabda Palace are expected to increase with the near end of the tenure of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and Internal Security Forces chief Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper the tenure of Basbous ends in June, while Qahwaji's two-year extended term ends in September.

Speaker Nabih Berri has denied that the much anticipated dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement would be postponed over differences on the agenda of the talks.

In remarks published in local dailies on Wednesday, Berri said: “I am 100 percent reassured and hope the first session would be held by the end of the year.”

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly welcomed on Thursday the recent efforts to push for dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement.

Plumbly said following talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh that he agreed with him that “dialogue is necessary for strengthening Lebanon’s security, stability and coexistence and for moving forward on outstanding constitutional steps.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun has reportedly stressed that he is not concerned with the dialogue that is set to take place between al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah.

Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted Aoun as saying that the talks, which are expected to be held between the rival parties this month, “do not concern him as long as he is not invited.”

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Saturday that the immature performance by some political leaders drove the country to a standstill, stressing that only compromises will resolve the crises gripping the country.

“The immature political performance... is preventing us from reaching solutions to end the impasse,” Salam said in an interview with Aqlam Touhawer program on Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).