Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday described the assassination of Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, head of the Internal Security Forces' Intelligence Bureau, as “a black turning point that cannot be overlooked, as it heralds the end of a phase and the beginning of another in Lebanon.”

According to a statement issued after the bloc's weekly meeting, the headline of the new phase in Lebanon is “the renewed attempt of the Syrian-Iranian regime and its local and regional tools to target Lebanon and turn it into an arena for conflict and settling scores, in a bid to dominate it and subjugate its democratic system and people.”

President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who offered him condolences on the assassination of Intelligence Bureau chief Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan and the rest of the victims.

As the Iranian president reiterated his condemnation of the crime, he extended Eid al-Adha greetings, hoping Lebanon will enjoy stability and prosperity, Lebanon's National News Agency said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Tuesday called on the opposition March 14 camp to accept President Michel Suleiman's call for national dialogue, stressing that "we cannot cripple the state and dialogue upon every crisis."

"I repeat my condolences over the assassination of (Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head) Maj. Gen. (Wissam) al-Hasan and all the victims," said al-Rahi at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport, upon his arrival from a visit to Rome.

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Tuesday warned against keeping the northern city of Tripoli “at the mercy of gunmen,” stressing that the army “will not be lenient with them.”

As he inspected the military units deployed in Tripoli as part of the security plan laid out by the Army Command, Qahwaji stressed “the need to take the strictest measures that can keep the security situation in the city under control and prevent the 'importing or exporting' of strife.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that dialogue is the best means to unite and enforce Lebanon in light of the current dangerous regional conditions.

“We cannot solve national issues through stubbornness and arrogance, but through dialogue. We need to find common grounds on which all Lebanese meet in order to fortify our nation during this dangerous regional situation,” stressed Miqati before his visitors at the Grand Serail.

Speaker Nabih Berri has maintained his contacts with members of the March 14 camp despite the dispute with its rival March 8 camp, reported As Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

It noted that the speaker received on Saturday a telephone call from former Primer Minister Saad Hariri on the occasion of Eid al-Adha during which the two officials discussed the latest developments in Lebanon.

The national dialogue session that has been set for November 12 will likely be postponed to November 29, reported As Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

It said that the postponement may be aimed at “covering up the errors” of the March 14-led opposition.

The recent meeting for the March 14 forces that was held at the Maarab residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Saturday reached an agreement on a number of political issues and steps that they will undertake during the upcoming phase in Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar on Tuesday.

It said that a statement listing the principles and issues they agreed upon will be issued within days or this week.

The FBI investigation team that arrived in Lebanon to assess the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan completed its mission and left Beirut Monday, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper Tuesday

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told the newspaper that the team “will take its times in analyzing the data that it gathered at the crime scene before making any announcement.”

The joint parliamentary committees will not convene on Wednesday in light of the March 14 alliance's decision to boycott parliamentary work unless the cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Miqati resigns, the An Nahar daily said Tuesday.

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari announced that the boycott of the committees' sessions will continue “as long as the alliance holds on to its stance,” said the daily.