Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that the cabinet formation process is not facing problems that cannot be solved and denied that the March 8 forces were rejecting to give President Michel Suleiman shares in the government.

“No one, including (FPM leader) Michel Aoun is rejecting to give President Suleiman a share,” Berri told As Safir daily in remarks published Monday. “However, there are (different) point of views on the type” of shares.

Thousands of protesters marched in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday to demand an end to the country's confessional system, in the second such demonstration since last week.

"The people want the fall of the regime," chanted the protesters of all ages as they marched from the Dora roundabout to the headquarters of the state electricity authority, which is located in the nearby Mar Mkhayel area.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri held talks Sunday in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

Hariri and the crown prince "reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed the latest developments at the Arab, regional and international levels," Saudi Arabia's official news agency SPA reported.

U.S. Congressman Steve Chabot, the new chairman of the U.S. House's Middle East subcommittee, has blasted the Obama administration over "its impotent response to Iran's repression of the opposition movement in 2009," Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper, Chabot charged that "Iran feels stronger" as a result of that reaction, arguing that such strengthening of Iran contributed to "the rise of Hizbullah in Lebanon."

Caretaker Minister of State for Administrative Reform Mohammed Fneish stated on Sunday that Lebanon has entered a new phase and a new political equation has been introduced to it, stressing that constitutional violations and attacks against Lebanon’s sovereignty are no longer acceptable.

He added: “Intimidation, terrorization, and threats are futile because this matter is connected to the new government and any procedure linked to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be halted in order for the new Cabinet to look into it.”

Outgoing Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stated on Sunday that the Lebanese people, regardless of which sect they belong to, cannot say that they are deeply divided as “they are all indebted to Lebanon.”

He stressed to MTV that Lebanon is currently better off than some Arab countries, adding that it will “always remain the safest and most peaceful nation in the region.”

Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz held talks on Saturday with Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri who is visiting the Kingdom at the head of a delegation, reported the Saudi Arabian news agency.

The talks focused on bilateral ties and issues of joint interest.

Informed circles predicted that the indictment in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri may be released before the March 14 rally set for March 13.

They told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that it is most likely set to be released between March 8 and 10.

House Speaker Nabih Berri’s sources revealed to the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that he is preparing a decisive response to Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s recent speech, noting that the speaker “no longer cares” that the ties between him and the premier have reached one of their worst points.

The paper also reported sources close to the March 8 camp as saying that Hizbullah “will not take a risk in any confrontation between it and Hariri that would harm the party’s new allies.”

Saturday’s ceremony honoring outgoing Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir garnered the majority of the political sides in Lebanon with the noted absence of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

The ceremony was marked by the withdrawal of FPM ministers Jebran Bassil and Fadi Abboud, as well as MP Alain Aoun, because Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was seated in the front row along with ministers from his bloc.