Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali denied Thursday that Syrians are now required to obtain visas to be able to enter Lebanon, reiterating his call for “coordination” between the two countries regarding border measures.

“There can't be visas between Syria and Lebanon,” Ali stressed after talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Java Zarif lauded on Thursday the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal Movement and the efforts exerted to reduce the sectarian tension in Lebanon.

Zarif expressed hope that the talks between the Sunni and Shiite parties would be “fruitful,” noting that his country supports dialogue and openness between the Lebanese, in particular Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday restated his satisfaction regarding the progress of the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal Movement.

"The second dialogue session's achievements were more than positive. They went beyond bilateral meetings to provide cover to national security and general stability,” Berri said during the weekly Wednesday meeting with MPs.

The Maronite Bishops Council hailed on Wednesday efforts exerted by rival parties to resolve the ongoing disputes, saying that the country requires a more comprehensive dialogue that includes the national principles.

“Lebanon has no future if it remains taken hostage by the regional and local disputes,” the council said after it's monthly meeting in Bkirki, expressing hope that talks between the political arch-foes would be fruitful.

The parliament failed once again to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum despite all the openness of the rival parties to engage in dialogue to end the presidential deadlock.

Speaker Nabih Berri postponed, for the 17th time, the session until 28 January.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that any possible agreement between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement would take into consideration the interest of the nation.

“The statement that we issued after the first round of talks (between the two parties) was very clear and very accurate,” local dailies on Monday quoted Berri as telling his visitors.

The second round of dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement is scheduled to be held in Ain el-Tineh on Monday to discuss ways to limit Sunni-Shiite tension, political sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily published on Sunday that the representatives of the two parties will assess the results of the first meeting that was held between them under the auspices of Speaker Nabih Berri last month.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi lauded on Thursday the exerted efforts to launch dialogue between the political arch-foes to break the ice and reduce tension in Lebanon.

“Dialogue between rival parties would end the ongoing dilemmas in the country,” al-Rahi said in his New Year’s Day sermon at Bkirki.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday considered the Constitutional Council's recent decision about the new rent law as a hurdle in the face of implementing it, asking the council to reconsider its ruling in order to make it “fair.”

“After studying the rent law as amended by the Constitutional Council, which took a decision to annul two articles and a paragraph, we found out that the decision they made practically disrupts the mechanism of implementing 37 other articles of the revised law, therefore obstructing the implementation of all of the law's stipulations,” MPs quoted Berri as saying after the weekly Wednesday meeting in Ain al-Tineh.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour stated on Wednesday that the food safety campaign has seized the media spotlight and improved the state's position, expressing satisfaction at what he and the government have reached so far.

“The food safety campaign has seized media spotlight, but I am proud that the government and I have presented an acceptable example to protect the citizen,” said Abou Faour in a press conference.