The tensions between Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea over the presidential elections has not impacted the proceedings of the committee tasked with devising a new parliamentary electoral law, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Saturday.

Parliamentary sources added: “On the contrary, it appears that the two sides have agreed to keep the electoral law discussions away from the presidential elections.”

Some members of the March 8 coalition, starting with the Change and Reform bloc, have voiced their “annoyance” with the proposal launched by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri to end the presidential vacuum in the country, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Saturday.

Parliamentary sources told the daily that the meeting between Hariri and Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh “created confusion” in the Change and Reform bloc, which has negatively affected the discussions at the committee tasked with devising a new parliamentary electoral law.

Head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora stressed that Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri is committed to the proposal he made on ending the presidential deadlock, reported various media on Wednesday.

Saniora stated that the initiative has not collapsed and that it will be revitalized after the holiday season is over, added al-Mustaqbal daily.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that the initiative to end the political deadlock “is still alive,” reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday.

“The presidential elections are facing internal obstacles because foreign powers have approved the proposal,” he explained according to his visitors.

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri hailed on Sunday on the second anniversary of the assassination of his advisor, Mohammed Shatah, his “friend's open mind, deep humanity, and honest patriotism.”

He said via Twitter: “We will remain loyal to the unity of the March 14 coalition that Shatah had worked for.”

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour revealed that no new developments have emerged regarding the initiative aimed at ending the political and presidential deadlock in Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday.

He told the daily: “Had we sensed some Iranian enthusiasm over the initiative, then we would have seen a different approach by the March 8 camp over it.”

The March 14 coalition held a meeting on Tuesday night to address the latest political developments in Lebanon, most notably the ongoing vacuum in the presidency, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc chief MP Fouad Saniora told the gatherers at the Center House in downtown Beirut that he hopes that the upcoming national dialogue sessions would turn into “productive” meetings that tackle issues that concern the Lebanese people, especially the vacuum.

The initiative launched by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh as president as part of a greater deal to end the political deadlock in Lebanon has lost steam as evidenced by the lack of local and international backing for the plan, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

It said that only Saudi Arabia, France, and the United States are pushing for the adoption of the settlement.

Speaker Nabih Berri praised Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri's initiative to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh as president, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

His visitors told the daily: “It is an honest nomination and his initiative is more than serious.”

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday the formation of a coalition of Arab and Muslim countries aimed at fighting terrorism.

Lebanon is among the 34 countries in the alliance.