A delegation from the March 14 opposition's al-Mustaqbal movement is seeking to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss with him its rejection of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal on the parliamentary elections, sources said Sunday.

The al-Mustaqbal sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that the delegation will ask for a meeting with Berri to discuss with him the proposal and alternatives to it in an attempt to revive dialogue between the two sides after talks were held around two months ago between al-Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora and the speaker.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil expressed regret on Sunday that President Michel Suleiman has criticized the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal and criticized al-Mustaqbal movement for allegedly targeting power sharing.

“I am surprised that he rejects the project unless I personally hear that from him,” Bassil, who is a leading member of the Free Patriotic Movement, told An Nahar newspaper in an interview.

The spokesman of the military wing of the Meqdad clan was released from jail on Saturday, the National News Agency reported.

“Maher al-Meqdad was released on condition he does not leave the country,” the NNA said, explaining that Military Tribunal Judge Imad al-Zein has issued a decision to let him leave the prison after paying a bail of 12 Million liras.

More than 200,000 Syrian refugees have fled the bloody conflict in their home country for Lebanon, according to figures released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Saturday.

“195,000 Syrians are currently receiving aid from the Lebanese government, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations,” a statement released by the U.N. said.

The Phalange Party and National Liberal Party protesters considered on Saturday that the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali is a “persona non grata,” calling on the diplomat to halt his interference in the Lebanese local affairs.

“If Foreign Minister (Adnan Mansour) won't put an end to your actions we will, you are (declared) as a persona non grata,” Simon Dergham, the head of the students organization in the National Liberal Party said.

Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat lashed out at the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law, considering that it produces an assembly for the “nation and not a parliament.”

“Representing all the sects is very important, but partnership is more crucial,” Fatfat said after holding talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki on Saturday.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani hoped on Saturday that officials would succeed in reaching an agreement over a new parliamentary electoral law.

He said: “We hope that they agree on a law that meets the people's aspirations and offers real representation at parliament.”

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel revealed that he will head to Doha on Tuesday to discuss with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid al-Thani, the case of the abducted Lebanese pilgrims in Syria's Aazaz.

“I will discus with the Qatari interior minister the case of the remaining nine abductees and the role that his country can play to release the men,” Charbel said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) on Saturday.

The Syndicate Coordination Committee announced on Friday that it will hold a general strike on January 16 to pressure the government to approve the new wage scale and refer it to parliament, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Saturday.

It said in a statement after a meeting: “The gatherers hold Prime Minister Najib Miqati responsible for the employees' resorting to strikes and demonstrations, as well the obstruction of the academic year.”

A Progressive Socialist Party delegation aimed at discussing party leader MP Walid Jumblat's initiative to resume national dialogue held talks on Friday with the Tashnaq Party, reported An Nahar daily Saturday.

Tashnag MP Hagop Pakradounian said after the talks: “There can be no substitute for national dialogue.”