House Speaker Nabih Berri’s sources revealed to the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that he is preparing a decisive response to Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s recent speech, noting that the speaker “no longer cares” that the ties between him and the premier have reached one of their worst points.

The paper also reported sources close to the March 8 camp as saying that Hizbullah “will not take a risk in any confrontation between it and Hariri that would harm the party’s new allies.”

Saturday’s ceremony honoring outgoing Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir garnered the majority of the political sides in Lebanon with the noted absence of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

The ceremony was marked by the withdrawal of FPM ministers Jebran Bassil and Fadi Abboud, as well as MP Alain Aoun, because Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was seated in the front row along with ministers from his bloc.

Political circles monitoring the government formation process revealed that three obstacles are hindering the formation of the new Cabinet.

They told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that the first of these obstacles is Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s insistence on acquiring the interior ministry portfolio from President Michel Suleiman.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s circles stated that there are “devious attempts” to drag him into debates and commitments prior to the formation of the new government and the establishment of its ministerial statement.

They told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday that the prime minister-designate is focusing his attention on forming a government that would appease all sides, and he is aware of efforts to divert attention away from the government to other affairs.

Sources present at the March 14 General Secretariat’s extraordinary meeting on Saturday revealed to the daily An Nahar in remarks on Sunday that the talks addressed several ways to develop work mechanisms and widen the political and popular participation on the basis that “the defense of justice and the battle against Hizbullah’s arms will be long.”

The gatherers also agreed to continue their talks during the general secretariat’s weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Hizbullah sources accused the March 14 forces, headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, of “openly implementing Israeli demands.”

They told the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published on Sunday: “We have known from the start that Hariri and his political team did not support the concept of resistance, but they had to accommodate for us in the past due to the reality on the ground.”

Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora stressed on Saturday that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is not seeking revenge or political gains, but it is aimed at achieving the Lebanese’ interest.

He said after holding talks with former premier Salim al-Hoss: “Claims that it is politicized are baseless.”

Hizbullah official in the south Sheikh Nabil Qaouq has said that Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare’s requests for data and information on the Lebanese consolidate divisions in the country.

Qaouq said the objectives of Bellemare and the U.S. won’t be achieved after a change in the parliamentary majority that is now led by Hizbullah.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea lashed out at his critics and said the March 14 forces were the first to introduce the concept of resistance to Lebanon.

“To those who claim we are against the choice of resistance, I say: We originally introduced the concept of resistance to Lebanon,” Geagea told LF officials in Keserouan-Ftouh.

A March 14 delegation is expected to visit Riyadh soon to meet with Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri there and congratulate King Abdullah on his safe return home.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel, former Premier Fouad Saniora and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea are among the delegation members, An Nahar daily said Saturday.