Saudi State Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan arrived in Beirut Thursday for talks with Lebanese officials, a few days before a presidential vote that is expected to see the election of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun as the country's new president.

The cabinet on Thursday held a “successful” session that could be the last of its meetings should the parliament elect a new president on Monday as expected.

Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi stressed the need to encourage dialogue to pave way for a speedy formation of the government, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

“Today we should work together to encourage dialogue so as to ensure a broad national understanding that allows a rapid formation of the government, so that this covenant could be able with the government to carry the responsibilities entrusted, taking into account the upcoming parliamentary elections,” said Moussawi.

In line with the preparations at the presidential palace to receive a new president, and in parallel with the logistical preparations for the parliamentary session set to elect a new head of state, the Free Patriotic Movement is also putting the final touches on the festivities it plans to hold after the election session scheduled on Monday that is foreseen to elect founder of the FPM MP Michel Aoun.

The cabinet today will hold its last meeting as a government carrying out the duties of a president in the absence of a head of state, as Prime Minister Tammam Salam starts preparations to leave his office at the Grand Serail with the expected election of a new president next Monday, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The government which has been carrying out the tasks of the president because of the vaccum at the post, will become a caretaker cabinet Monday afternoon, as soon as the parliament elects a new head of state and the newly elected president reads his oaths, added the daily.

Public Tranport drivers staged nationwide protests as they started gathering early on Thursday in several points across Lebanon to kick off a rally that will head to Riyad al-Solh square in Down Town Beirut, and to the Grand Serails in other districts, the National News Agency reported.

The campaigners headed to the gathering points at 6:00 am as they demand that the automotive inspection authority is restored to the public sector after a deal that could see its privatization.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea announced Wednesday that the country is going through “historic moments” with the looming election of a “100 percent made in Lebanon” president.

Speaker Nabih Berri reassured Wednesday that “quorum” will be “guaranteed” during the October 31 presidential vote session, reiterating that a second voting round would be held during the same session if no candidate manages to garner 86 votes in the first round.

Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh held talks Wednesday in Diman with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and stressed that he will maintain his presidential nomination.

After a 45-minute closed-door meeting, Franjieh and al-Rahi continued their talks over a lunch banquet, state-run National News Agency said.

MP Henri Helou, a member of MP Walid Jumblat's Democratic Gathering bloc, announced Wednesday that his presidential nomination will continue “as long as it is beneficial for the country's interest.”