Most political forces represented in the government expressed support for proportional representation in the parliamentary elections on Wednesday except for the Progressive Socialist Party claiming that the cabinet was in no need for further divisions.

During a cabinet session held at Baabda palace, Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is loyal to PSP chief Walid Jumblat, asked: “Is this the appropriate political timing to discuss the electoral draft law and approve it?”

Lebanon's decision to stand by Syria's embattled Bashar Assad has deepened the rift between the March 8-dominated government and the March 14-led opposition.

"The decision of the Lebanese government to support the Syrian regime went against the current of the Arab Spring and ... ignored the wishes of a large part of its own population," said Imad Salamey, political science professor at the Lebanese American University.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Wednesday that only Israel, Iran and Hizbullah along with the current government are defending the Syrian regime, reiterating his call on President Bashar Assad to leave power.

“Don't you see that now Israel and Iran and Hizbullah and this government are defending the Syrian regime?” Hariri said on the social networking website twitter.

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Ad Interim Robert Watkins stated on Wednesday that the U.N. is “relatively pleased” with the quiet and stability in the South.

He said after holding talks with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea: “We still feel there is a lot of progress that needs to be made towards a permanent ceasefire” by both Israel and Lebanon.

Kaoru Okuizumi was sworn in Wednesday as deputy registrar for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, announced the tribunal in a statement.

Okuizumi, a Japanese national, has extensive background in international criminal justice and human rights, it said.

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the Lebanese government’s position at the Arab League meeting on Saturday, describing its opposition to the suspension of Syria’s membership as “shameful.”

It demanded in a statement after its weekly meeting the resignation of the government “in order to maintain the interests of the Lebanese people and their ties with Syria.”

President Michel Suleiman hoped on Wednesday that the “spirit of forgiveness” would prevail, hinting that Lebanese politicians should not allow their rhetoric to go out of hands.

On the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance, Suleiman said in a statement that “honest and logical dialogue should be the only way to find a solution to problems.”

The Greek Orthodox Archbishopric in the Beirut neighborhood of Ashrafiyeh was ransacked by unknown assailants overnight Wednesday, the National News Agency reported.

It said bishops and employees were surprised on Wednesday morning to see that thieves had broken in and stolen chalices, icons, money, documents and the Archbishop’s crosier.

The Syrian regime and Hizbullah have agreed on resolving all the obstacles that could cause the collapse of the current cabinet in an attempt to safeguard the government until the parliamentary elections in 2013.

Sources told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that the Syrian leadership and Hizbullah are seeking to guarantee the parliamentary majority during the 2013 elections in cooperation with PM Najib Miqati and without Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon called for a strategic review of UNIFIL’s mission and said the Lebanese army should begin taking a larger share of security responsibilities in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701.

Five years after the expansion of UNIFIL’s activities, it’s time to carry out a strategic review of its mission, Ban said in his 17th report on the implementation of 1701.