Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora restated on Monday his rejection of the Orthodox Gathering's electoral law, adding that the bloc's lawmakers do not mind discussing the proposal suggested by the March 14 Christian parties.

"The bloc's decision is based on the values stated in the Taef accord and on our belief in fair representation and freedom of choice,” Saniora explained during an interview with MTV.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias will pay an official visit to Lebanon on Thursday to discuss the prospect of cooperation in the exploration of offshore oil and gas.

Christofias will hold talks with President Michel Suleiman "to review economic issues and growth prospects that are opening up in the region in relation to the discovery of large reserves of hydrocarbons," a Cypriot official said on Monday.

Phalange Central Committee Coordinator MP Sami Gemayel restated on Monday his party's support for the small electoral districts' law, rejecting any postponement of the parliamentary elections.

"This law fairly represents the different Lebanese communities,” Gemayel said after the weekly meeting of the party's political bureau, explaining that stability in the country will “only be secured if everyone was accurately represented in the parliament”.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday called on the Free Patriotic Movement to seek its allies' approval of the electoral law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering -- under which each sect would elect its representatives -- or else endorse the electoral law proposed by March 14's Christians, which is based on 50 small electorates.

“We were among those who suggested amending the electoral law because the current law does not ensure proper representation and this is what several parties are saying,” Geagea said at a press conference he held in Maarab.

Speaker Nabih Berri congratulated his American counterpart John Boehner on his election as speaker, hoping that he will support Lebanon, its stability and security, as well as the unity of the countries of the region.

He warned in his congratulatory cable: “Division of any country in the region will lead to sectarian and ethnic strife.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat hoped on Monday that the Lebanese factions would restore contacts between each other instead of awaiting the outcome of the Syrian crisis.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “Those seeking to make their political plans based on the belief that the Syrian crisis will end soon are mistaken.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Monday that he agreed with former premiers to take several measures to end the dispute over the elections at the Higher Islamic Council, noting that he will inform Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani about them later in the day.

“We took several decisions and I will inform Qabbani about them tonight,” Miqati said following talks with former PMs Fouad Saniora, Omar Karami and Salim al-Hoss at the Grand Serail.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi urged on Monday the members of a subcommittee to agree on a new draft-law and put it on parliament's agenda.

In a message to the MPs, who are scheduled to revive the subcommittee meetings in parliament on Tuesday, al-Rahi said: “You should work hard to produce a new electoral law and overcome the 1960 law that marginalizes a large segment of the Lebanese.”

Schools throughout Lebanon will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the fierce storm lashing Lebanon, announced Education Minister Hassan Diab in a memo on Monday.

The memo said: “Due to our keenness on the students' safety, all private and official schools will be closed on January 8 and 9.”

The body of 46-year-old Lebanese Fouad Elias Abou Murad was transferred from Israel into Lebanon on Monday through al-Naqoura border crossing.

Fouad's body was handed over to his family, who hail from the town of Jdeidet Marjeyoun.