United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Director of Political and Civil Affairs Milos Strugar stated on Monday that the international force’s jurisdiction does not include demarcating the maritime border, adding that it would be willing to do so if it receives the consent of the concerned sides.

He explained to the Central News Agency that several sections within the U.N. are dedicated to managing legal and political affairs that include peacemaking operations and tackling maritime borders.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat criticized on Monday the West’s “suspicious” silence over the developments in Libya that are similar to the confusion it felt when confronting the anti-regime protests in Egypt.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine that the silence stems from the West’s interest in the oil wealth, “which remains the main drive behind most of western policies that turn a blind eye to human rights and democracy once their interests are jeopardized.”

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati stressed Monday that Lebanon holds onto its ties with the international community and the concept of justice.

“Lebanon holds onto the best of relations with the international community, the respect of international resolutions and the concept of justice,” Miqati told a visiting Dutch parliamentary delegation.

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Monday the need for Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory in the South and commit to implementing all articles of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

He also emphasized after holding talks with a Dutch delegation headed by Hendrik Jan Ormel the importance of granting Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homeland.

As pro-democracy uprisings spread across the Middle East, Saudi authorities are feeling increasingly isolated and concerned that Washington may no longer be a reliable backer, officials and diplomats told the New York Times.

“The Saudis are completely encircled by the problem, from Jordan to Iraq to Bahrain to Yemen,” said one Arab diplomat, voicing a view that is common in the halls of power in Riyadh.

Tehran could activate Hizbullah fighters to attack Israel in an effort to stave off domestic pressure within Iran, according to assessments in the Israeli army’s Northern Command.

“The concern within the army is that if the regime in Tehran feels under pressure due to anti-government demonstrations, it will try to initiate an attack on an Israeli target – either overseas or near the border – to divert attention from its own troubles,” said The Jerusalem Post newspaper on Monday.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has hoped that Lebanese-Syrian ties would be similar to relations between Damascus and Ankara.

Last week, Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, praised booming ties with one-time foe Syria, saying that a joint dam project at the border between the two neighbors would further strengthen cooperation.

Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s cabinet formation efforts were in tatters on Monday after the Free Patriotic Movement suggested giving up its demands for the interior ministry in return for getting the finance portfolio.

“We were at first demanding the finance portfolio but we met the demands to keep it with the Sunni sect and suggested getting the interior (ministry) instead,” Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil told As Safir daily in remarks published Monday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat unveiled on Monday that he held talks with the assistant of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s deputy, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Nasif, in Damascus last week.

Jumblat told As Safir newspaper that he discussed with Nasif on Wednesday the situation in Lebanon and the Arab world.

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed optimism on Monday on the formation of the government, saying he will facilitate Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s mission by allowing him to choose the Development and Liberation bloc’s ministers.

“We have moved to the stage of resolving (the deadlock) and reaching the expected solution,” Berri told An Nahar daily.