The March 14-led opposition rejected turning the parliament and constitutional institutions into platforms from which Hizbullah launches campaigns against the international tribunal, the coalition’s sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily published Friday that Hizbullah was using the state institutions to defend the four suspects that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon indicted in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s Feb. 2005 assassination.

Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil on Thursday warned that the country will suffer “governmental and parliamentary paralysis if the dispute over the electricity plan is not solved,” noting that “the issue can be resolved in cabinet.”

“We will topple any government that does not want to implement the plan,” Bassil vowed.

The head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora held talks on Thursday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara during which the Turkish official informed him of his positions on the developments in the Arab world.

The talks also discussed the latest developments in the region.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Thursday President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, the army, and security forces for their shortcomings in dealing with the developments in the town of Lassa, holding them “responsible before history” for the ongoing incidents taking place in the area.

He said after holding talks with a delegation from the town and other Jbeil District areas: “You will be held accountable because you are allowing the people to resolve their disputes in their own hands, is this acceptable?”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Thursday the importance of holding dialogue between all the political factions.

He noted: “Dialogue has become a necessity for all countries and not just Lebanon.”

The American Embassy in Lebanon announced Thursday a change in its policy regarding visas for American citizens.

Citizens are asked to make online appointments before coming to the Embassy in order to provide efficient effective service.

Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Hassan Fadlallah slammed on Thursday the indictment in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying that depending on telecommunications data alone as evidence is not enough in a case as sensitive as the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

He said during a press conference on the indictment’s telecommunications data: “The tribunal, its decisions, and the investigation have created a dangerous divide in Lebanon.”

British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher presented his credentials to President Michel Suleiman at Beiteddine Palace on Thursday, the British embassy said in a statement.

In his first official statement via a video message in Arabic and English, Fletcher said: ‘‘I am delighted to be taking up this post, and determined to do all I can to enhance the partnership between the UK and this extraordinary country.”

Two brothers were wounded at dawn Thursday when unknown assailants tossed four hand grenades at a petrol station in Rwaissat Jdeideh area, the National News Agency said.

NNA said the grenades were tossed at the Mar Elias gas station.

Premier Najib Miqati travelled to Mecca for Omra on Wednesday after a 10-minute cabinet session held at Baabda palace to discuss the controversial electricity bill.

Following the session, Miqati held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri at the parliament building. Both men agreed on postponing a parliamentary session that was set to endorse the electricity bill had the cabinet approved it.