Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said on Monday that igniting the north front and dragging the country into strife is the only alternative to dialogue “which certain political powers oddly refuse to participate in.”

In his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine, Jumblat expressed his concern over the security events erupting in the northern city of Tripoli, specifically the tit-for-tat abductions that took place Sunday night between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen rival neighborhoods.

The United States welcomed on Monday all efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to strengthen the national unity and stability in the country.

“We encourage the participants in the national dialogue to engage constructively,” the U.S. embassy said via twitter.

The Lebanese foes seeking an accord at a new national dialogue session expressed optimism on Monday as they voiced hope that the all-party talks would have a positive impact on the country, local newspapers reported.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told As Safir newspaper that he will be open to all suggestions during session at the Baabda Palace, noting that the Lebanese leaders should be ready to resolve all the crises Lebanon is suffering from.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati warned on Monday that if bickering leaders continue to hold onto their stances the country’s political and security situation would continue to deteriorate.

In an interview with the Saudi Okaz daily, Miqati said: “We should sit together to come closer and limit the differences between the viewpoints” of different leaders.

An Australian lawyer and a Lebanese interpreter detained after meeting Seif al-Islam were being investigated for the crime of spying and complicity, a Libyan official said as an International Criminal Court team arrived in Tripoli to try to secure their release.

"The delegation just arrived now to negotiate with the Libyan authorities and the prosecutor general for the (ICC) team's release," Ahmed Jehani, Libya's envoy to the international tribunal, said on Sunday.

Syrian National Habib al-Brimo, who was kidnapped last week on the Zahle highway in eastern Lebanon, was released on Monday.

No details were immediately available about the circumstances of the release as the motive remains unknown.

The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.

The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”

Berri Stresses Importance of National Dialogue

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that the resumption of the national dialogue would have a positive impact on the country regardless of the outcome.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday described the national dialogue conference that will be held on Monday at the Baabda Palace as a “waste of time,” noting that “dialogue is a trap because the current government is responsible for this bad situation.”

Earlier this week, the LF announced that it will not take part in the talks despite the participation of its allies in the March 14 camp.

Al-Jadeed female correspondent Ghadi Francis was “severely beaten” on Sunday by MP Asaad Hardan’s bodyguard Hussein Hashem, al-Jadeed television reported.

Francis was in Dhour el-Shweir area to cover the electoral process held by the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.