The Free Patriotic Movement on Wednesday stressed the "independence" of its decision in the presidential file, saying it rejects the approaches of both the "confrontation" and "defiance" camps, in reference to the camps that support rival candidates Michel Mouawad and Suleiman Franjieh.

“The Movement calls on parliamentary blocs to draw lessons from the foreign stances on the presidential issue and to return the juncture to its domestic aspect,” the FPM’s political council said in a statement after a periodic meeting.

International and regional pressure for ending Lebanon’s presidential void has pushed political forces, including the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, to intensify communication in a bid to reach consensus over a presidential candidate, a media report and an LF MP said.

“The contacts have led to breakthroughs but have not yet reached the stage of consensus over a single candidate,” Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, which is close to the Saudi leadership, reported on Tuesday.

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab met Tuesday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, as he ends an "exploratory tour" he had initiated to discuss the presidential crisis with Lebanese leaders.

Bou Saab said he took the initiative, after parties refused dialogue, and that the first stage of his initiative ends today, and evaluation will follow.

Saudi ambassador Walid Bukhari met Tuesday with MPs of the majority-Sunni National Moderation bloc.

"Bukhari has stressed the neutral position of Saudi Arabia, and the need to expedite the presidential election,” the bloc said in a statement.

The Depositors Outcry association on Tuesday staged a sit-in outside parliament in protest at the state’s financial policies and to demand the recovery of deposits.

The protesters blocked the road near parliament amid the deployment of army troops and security forces. Clashes later ensued, leaving several protesters injured.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Monday likened the Arab League to a “Titanic ship” that is carrying the Syrian people to “certain drowning.”

“Have they asked the Syrian people whether they want to return to the Arab fold? Of course not,” Jumblat tweeted.

Lebanon was ranked the worst country in the food price inflation Top 10 list, the World Bank said in a report last month.

Domestic food price inflation remains high in almost all low- and middle-income countries, the report said.

PSP-backed MP Ghassan Skaff has reached a list of 3 presidential names after a tour on different parties.

Skaff told al-Jadeed that he had discussed Bkerki's eleven names during his diplomatic tour in an attempt to agree on a president.

Free Patritic Movement leader Jebran Bassil, who has no specific presidential candidate, will not attend a voting session that would elect Hezbollah's candidate Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.

"I haven't suggested a name, but I've refused candidates and considered others," Bassil said in an interview.

Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari met Monday with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

After the meeting, Bukhari said that Saudi Arabia does not prefer building ties with one sect in Lebanon at the expense of another.