Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Tuesday that officials should deal wisely with the funding of the Special Tribunal of Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Prime minister Rafik Hariri since the timeframe ends at the beginning of March.

“There’s no reason for us to rush with the STL issue,” Berri said in remarks to As Safir newspaper.

The Phalange Party stressed on Monday the need to fortify Lebanon against the repercussions of the developments in the Arab world.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “The situation in the region requires constant contacts between the leaderships in Lebanon and the Arab, regional, and international scenes.”

The Army Command stressed on Monday its coordination with Syrian authorities in maintaining security and stability between the two sides.

It said in a statement: “Our units immediately intervene to tackle any violation that may take place along the Lebanese-Syrian border.”

The Christian Lady of the Mountain Gathering issued on Monday amendments to the document it issued on October 23, revealing that it has also formed a follow-up committee to tackle the Gathering’s future steps.

The amendments included “emphasizing the role of the church in establishing the foundations and principles of the Taef accord seeing as the agreement is an example of what Lebanon can offer in democracy in the Arab world, which is based on citizenship and diversity,” it announced during a press conference.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Monday those who are seeking to “impoverish” Christians in the East, saying that the martyrs in Iraq are pledging for the help of the officials to safeguard stability and peace.

“Those who were martyred were a sacrifice for our beloved Iraq to implement peace, justice and stability,” al-Rahi said in a mass on the first anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad.

Security authorities at Rafik Hariri International Airport have arrested a Syrian national accused of smuggling weapons, Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) reported Monday.

VDL said Mohammed Shaker Toufiq was arrested in the early hours of Monday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat confirmed on Sunday his centrist position with a clear tilt towards the March 14-led opposition, An Nahar newspaper reported.

“Jumblat was a forerunner in specifying the principles and the roadmap concerning the situation in Syria,” sources told the daily on Monday.

Consultations between the major parties represented in the cabinet over the funding of the international tribunal are expected to gain “serious momentum” following Eid al-Adha over the weekend, ministerial sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily on Monday that all officials involved in the funding are now aware of the serious consequences if the cabinet fails to fund by the end of November the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.

The cabinet is scheduled to discuss the parliamentary elections draft law and several other issues during a session at Baabda palace on Tuesday.

The government has 79 items on its agenda. In addition to the electoral law, ministers are expected to discuss a suggestion by the foreign ministry to rent the Coral Beach building and turn it into a temporary headquarters for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi cancelled on Monday his visit to Beirut because of the Syrian crisis, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported.

Al-Arabi was scheduled to meet with President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Speaker Nabih Berri along with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.