Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri congratulated on Tuesday the Lebanese on the occasion of Liberation Day on Wednesday, especially the families of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression.

He said in a statement: “The anniversary of the liberation of the South comes at a time when Lebanon and the region are passing through unprecedented circumstances that require, more than ever, the Lebanese to take a stand and derive the meanings of nationalism.”

Caretaker Prime minister Saad Hariri still does not recognize Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s right to head a government, a former diplomat told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Saturday.

“If he were in Miqati’s place, he would have formed a government that would force all sides to accept the status quo,” he added.

Political sources warned against being overly optimistic about the formation of the government anytime soon although they said that the atmosphere was more positive than before.

The sources told al-Mustaqbal daily in remarks published Wednesday that the “excessive optimism might not reflect the reality,” and said those who are being optimistic have most probably “rushed” to make their stances.

Caretaker Defense Minister Elias Murr stressed that Hizbullah planned to kill him, in addition to former Premier Fouad Saniora, and Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, according to a leaked U.S. Embassy cable published in al-Akhbar on Monday.

The WikiLeaks cable dated May 14, 2008 reported about a meeting between Murr, Gen. Martin Dempsey, Maj. Gen. Robert Allardice, Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy for the U.S. Military Central Command, and former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison.

Syria and Iran will turn Lebanon into a second Gaza, feared Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri on May 15, 2008, revealed a leaked U.S. Embassy cable published exclusively in al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday.

He made his statements during a meeting with then U.S. Charge d’Affaires Michele Sison in the aftermath of Hizbullah’s May 7, 2008, takeover of Beirut, said the WikiLeaks cable.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri hoped on Friday that Lebanon would remain a beacon for democracy and freedom in the Arab world.

He said on the occasion of Martyrs Day: “Since 2004, Lebanon has been plagued with assassinations, the most notable of which took place on February 14, 2005, with the murder of former Premier Rafik Hariri.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed fear over carrying out deals under the table to form the new government and said that caretaker PM Saad Hariri might drop the agenda of the March 14 forces, a WikiLeaks cable published in al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday said.

The cable dated May 15, 2008 said that the LF leader described the caretaker PM’s words as “nonsense” and said that Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat is “scared” so they’re seeking a way out.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri praised on Wednesday the reconciliation between the Fatah and Hamas Palestinian groups, describing it as a “blessed step” in the Palestinians’ people struggle.

He hoped in a statement that the agreement would pave a way to establishing a Palestinian state and national unity.

Hizbullah committed a major mistake during the May 2008 incidents, said then Army Commander Michel Suleiman, revealed a leaked U.S. Embassy cable published exclusively in Al-Akhbar on Wednesday.

The May 12, 2008, WikiLeaks cable spoke of a meeting between Suleiman and then Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy Michele Sison during which the former accused Hizbullah of militia activity.

Caretaker Premier Saad Hariri has reportedly said during the May 7, 2008 events that the U.S. should provide immediate assistance to the March 14 forces.

In a WikiLeaks cable dated May 12, 2008, Hariri told former U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison that Washington should provide support to al-Mustaqbal movement in the next 24 hours to confront Hizbullah which controlled large parts of Sunni West Beirut.