U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on Tuesday discussed the recent political developments in the country in separate meetings with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel and caretaker Labor Minister Boutros Harb.

"Ambassador Connelly reiterated that the U.S. views the formation of a new Lebanese government as an exclusively Lebanese process that should remain free from outside interference," said a communiqué released by the U.S. Embassy following Connelly's talks with Geagea.

The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday called for "joining efforts so that Lebanon can continue to be a country that is adhered to its democratic political system in the face of pressures seeking to turn it into a totalitarian (country) controlled by (foreign) hegemony."

In a communiqué issued after its weekly meeting, the bloc condemned "the return to the rhetoric of weapons … rigged elections and stolen (parliamentary) representation," stressing the importance of "pressing forward towards the rise of the State."

Israel is planning to inform the United Nations on Wednesday of its decision to suspend its withdrawal from the northern section of the village of Ghajar.

It attributed the suspension to the crisis in Lebanon and the possibility of Hizbullah bolstering its presence in the new Lebanese government, reported Israel radio.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams voiced his support on Tuesday for Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati in his mission to form a new government, praising his openness to all political parties in Lebanon.

He added a hope after holding talks with Miqati that the new government would enjoy the approval of all Lebanese sides and that it would respect international resolutions, especially U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast stated on Tuesday that developments in Lebanon are taking place on the democratic path, hoping that Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati would succeed in forming a “strong government that includes all Lebanese parties.”

He said during a press conference that Lebanon is on the course of development and progress, noting that it is in the interest of all movements to take part in cabinet “to ensure its success.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Tuesday warned the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition against wresting its control over Lebanon.

“We won’t let them control the country and wreak havoc and devastation as happened previously,” Geagea said.

Israeli deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom warned on Tuesday that Hizbullah was consolidating its military capabilities in contravention with U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

He told the Herzliya Conference on “The Balance of Israel’s National Strength and Security" that Lebanon is the only country where a party has representatives in parliament and at the same time military capabilities.

Speaker Nabih Berri said Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s cabinet will see light this week but lamented that the March 14 forces refused to take part in the government.

“Unfortunately, it seems that some parties don’t want to participate in the national salvation cabinet. This has been announced by Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel,” Berri told Voice of Lebanon, Voice of Freedom and Dignity, radio station.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun traveled to Aleppo on Tuesday to participate in the celebrations of Saint Maroun Day in Brad the next day.

Caretaker Ministers Jebran Bassil and Fadi Abboud, and Change and Reform bloc MPs Ibrahim Kenaan, Nabil Nicolas, Naji Gharious and Fadi al-Aawar accompanied Aoun.

Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s press office denied a media report that Miqati was planning to visit Damascus on Tuesday for talks with the Syrian leadership on the formation of the Lebanese cabinet.

“This report is not true because PM-designate Miqati will not make any visit abroad before forming the government,” his press office said in a statement.