Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun criticized on Tuesday attacks against the Resistance’s weapons and the base political rhetoric in Lebanon “that is harming the national principles and the mutual respect between the sects.”

He said after the movement’s weekly meeting: “We are proud of the arms because they have preserved our dignity.”

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams stressed on Tuesday the importance of the new government respecting Lebanon’s international obligations.

He said after holding talks with caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri: “I told the Prime Minister that the United Nations expects the new government , once it is formed and irrespective of its composition, to meet the aspiration of all Lebanese people and to continue to respect Lebanon’s international obligations.”

Lebanese Basketball team Al-Riyadi seeks to move on to the Final round of West Asia basketball league when they meet Iranian team Mehram today at 6pm in Saeb Salam Hall.

Al-Riyadi is heading into the game with high spirits, despite the absence of their injured star Jean Abdel Nour.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri commended on Tuesday outgoing Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir’s positions on various national issues in Lebanon, describing him as “Lebanon’s conscience who always gave us advice on the country’s future.”

He said after holding a closed-door meeting with Sfeir at Bkirki: “The patriarch blessed the Taif Accord, opposed the civil war and led Lebanon to safety.”

Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated that the country’s defense strategy was settled in the policy statement of Caretaker PM Saad Hariri’s cabinet when it stressed the army-people-resistance formula.

In remarks to As Safir daily published Tuesday, Berri said the formula remains unchanged despite Hariri’s rejection to support it.

Hizbullah lawmaker Kamel al-Rifai lashed out at the slogan of the March 14 forces ‘The People Want to Topple Arms,’ saying such a campaign would lead to an “unlimited strife.”

In remarks to pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, al-Rifai said March 14 “does not know the harm it is causing to a large segment of the Lebanese” society.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat accused the March 14 forces of taking the country into a “war of civilizations,” saying that President Michel Suleiman isn’t an ally when it comes to government formation or parliamentary elections.

In remarks to al-Akhbar daily, Jumblat described his relations with the March 8 forces, including Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, as based on an alliance.

Lebanon has proposed the demarcation of its maritime border with Israel during a tripartite meeting held at the UNIFIL headquarters in Ras al-Naqoura.

“Maintaining peace and stability was the goal of this tripartite meeting and I am happy that we were able to address all the issues in a constructive atmosphere,” UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas said Monday after chairing the meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli armies.

Premier-designate Najib Miqati expressed regret at the March 14 coalition’s decision to boycott the new government but said he would form a cabinet that is worthy of representing the state.

In remarks to An Nahar daily published Monday, Miqati said he was on the verge of agreeing with March 14 when the alliance announced it would not participate in the cabinet.

France is investigating a Lebanese businessman on suspicion of money laundering after he landed at a Paris airport with €1.5 million, saying the money was to promote the image of Moammar Gadhafi.

Judicial officials said Ziad Taqieddine was detained upon his arrival from Libya on Saturday.