March 8 forces are holding onto their stance refusing to pay Lebanon’s dues to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Thursday.

Sources told the daily that the funding of the STL, that is expected to be tackled by the cabinet soon, will not be approved whether it was discussed during a session or away from the media spotlight.

Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayyad said on Thursday that the media exaggerated the Syrian delegation’s visit to the seat of the Maronite church, noting that the visit was set after Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi was elected.

He told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the developments in Syria “postponed the visit,” stressing that the discussions “focused on religion to bring sects closer.”

Hizbullah condemned on Thursday what it called “repressive” acts against Shiite protestors in Bahrain that resemble the “terrorist measures” adopted by the U.S. at the Guantanamo detention camp and Iraq’s Abu Ghreib prison.

“Hizbullah reiterates its condemnation of the crimes committed by Bahraini authorities,” the Shiite party said in a statement. “It stresses its support for the Bahraini people and its legitimate demands.”

Premier Najib Miqati has denied that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned him about certain measures on Lebanon if Lebanese authorities reject U.N. Security Council action against Syria over its violent crackdown on protestors.

“First there was no warning and second we don’t need any warning because no one knows Lebanon’s interest better than us,” Miqati told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in an interview published Thursday.

March 14 led-opposition leaders have held a meeting at Center House to discuss the local situation and to coordinate their stances concerning the upcoming stage, An Nahar newspaper reported on Thursday.

The meeting was held on Tuesday in the presence of Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, head of the Mustaqbal bloc former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and MPs Butros Harb and Marwan Hmadah and March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soaid, the daily said.

Speaker Nabih Berri is scheduled to travel to Iran on Friday and later visit Armenia where he will discuss bilateral ties, media reports said.

On Thursday, Berri urged officials to launch efforts to drill for oil and gas in Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the 870-square-kilometer area that Israel says is part of its waters.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat has been holding meetings with a number of high-ranking March 14 officials, during which his views have coincided with theirs, reported the Central News Agency on Wednesday.

Sources told the agency that the last of these meetings was held at the residence of one of these figures and it stressed the importance of adhering to centrism during the current phase the country is going through.

Syrian President Bashar Assad stated on Wednesday that Syria is keen on Lebanon’s stability and security, noting that the “painful events” that had taken place in Syria have come to an end.

He said after holding talks with former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss: “The Syrian cities that were targeted in the incidents have started to regain their stability.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that Lebanon does not want to intervene in the developments in Syria “because we don’t want anyone to meddle in our affairs.”

He said while meeting with a delegation of Arab ambassadors in New York: “We don’t want to interfere in its affairs because we want to defend Lebanon from any potential repercussions on the country.”

A Lebanese-Syrian gang involved in promoting pornographic movies has been arrested by the Lebanese general security forces, reported the National News Agency on Wednesday.

The group, comprised of a Lebanese national and four Syrians, sold the films on DVDs in various regions in Lebanon, especially in the Jbeil district where it was uncovered.