Russia has informed Hizbullah that the March 8 forces should resign from the government and form a new cabinet that remains committed to international resolutions if the Shiite party and its allies rejected to fund the international tribunal, diplomatic sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily published Sunday that Moscow’s stance was announced during a meeting last week between the Russian deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and a Hizbullah delegation led by MP Mohammed Raad.

United Nations Security Council members urged the Lebanese cabinet to implement its international commitments, especially the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper on Friday.

The members advised “Lebanon to implement its commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and pay its dues,” the daily said.

Al-Akhbar newspaper denied on Friday that a meeting was held between Syrian president Bashar Assad and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

“The meeting was not held, the statements were not credible, and they are baseless,” the daily said.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati denied on Friday that he had contacted any of the opposition figures to inquire about the decisions he takes.

“The premier’s constant approach (concerning all matters) is to stay away from any political dispute in order to achieve the Lebanese (citizens’) interests,” sources close to the PM told An Nahar newspaper.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati confirmed to his predecessor PM Saad Hariri that he supports the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper reported on Thursday.

“I announced it from day one, and I insist on my position,” Miqati informed Hariri on different occasions by sending him messages via different mediators, the daily said.

The West fears that the popular uprising that erupted in Syria might affect the Lebanese local situation, as the Lebanese officials are divided over their responses to the revolt against President Bashar Assad.

“Any new European sanctions will target the financial sector in Syria,” western diplomatic sources told An Nahar newspaper on Tuesday.

Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal MPs wrangled on Monday at the human rights parliamentary committee meeting which witnessed curses, threats and counter accusations.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report by Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi on the alleged involvement of the Syrian embassy in the disappearance of Syrian opposition activists in Lebanon.

A High-ranking Lebanese official attempted to extend the timeframe of the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whereby the cabinet has until the end of November to pay its dues.

United Nations sources told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Tuesday that the official attempted to extend the timeframe until Hizbullah and its allies agree on the funding, but the STL didn’t approve the request.

Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to tackle on Monday the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri during a television interview, An Nahar reported.

Nasrallah will discuss during the interview the disputed issues among the cabinet members.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon's Trial Chamber has issued a scheduling order, which requests written submissions relating to in absentia proceedings from the Office of the Prosecutor and each of the accused, said the STL in a statement.

“Since the accused have not yet appointed counsel the Trial Chamber has also asked the STL’s Defense Office to file submissions,” it added.