A delegation of the al-Mustaqbal Movement has traveled on Friday to the French capital in a bid to continue the negotiations that have been ongoing at various levels, al-Joumhouria daily said on Saturday.

The delegation included Nader Hariri, the adviser of al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri, and a number of other consultants including former MP Ghattas Khoury.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader MP Saad Hariri on Thursday announced that he has donated 20 million dollars for reconstruction efforts in northern Lebanon, which has witnessed fierce battles between the army and Islamist gunmen.

“Twenty million dollars have been allocated for the areas affected by the latest clashes in the city of Tripoli -- especially Bab al-Tabbaneh -- the Bhannine region in Minieh and the rest of northern areas that witnessed military confrontations,” Hariri said in a statement.

Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel met on Thursday with Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh on the third day of his tour on Christian leaders.

Gemayel headed to Zgharta's Bnashii for talks with Franjieh a day after he met with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

Kataeb party MP Sami Gemayel held talks on Wednesday with Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun, a day after meeting with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Gemayel described his meeting with Aoun as “excellent,” pointing out that the circumstances compelled him to head to Rabieh.

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh stressed on Tuesday that national unity is the most important fortification against terrorism that is threatening Lebanon and the region.

He said that “Lebanon is in need of the positions of its leaders,” while hailing the stance of Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri on terrorism.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted on Tuesday that differences are a normal part of political life, stressing that he seeks national unity among Lebanese factions.

He said: “The differences are normal part of politics, which should be practiced calmly during this phase.”

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri condemned on Tuesday calls to defect from the Lebanese army and the incitement of Sunnis to join terrorist groups, and reiterated that the nation would enjoy security only if Hizbullah withdrew from Syria.

“All calls to defect from the army and incite Sunni men in particular to … join armed organizations in Lebanon and abroad are condemned and rejected,” Hariri said in a lengthy statement issued by his press office.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat voiced on Monday his complete support to the army in its role in “asserting the authority and legitimacy of the state” in the northern city of Tripoli, the North, and throughout Lebanon.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “The army once against demonstrated that it is only biased towards protecting the Lebanese people.”

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari expressed doubt on Saturday that the presidential elections would be held in 2014, expecting that lawmakers will link the extension of the parliamentary tenure with the vacuum at the Baabda Palace.

“Extending the term of the parliament is a temporary solution until a new head of state is elected,” Makari said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday voiced concern over possible further delay of the $3 billion Saudi grant to the Lebanese army, following similar remarks by Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

“There are concerns that the Saudi grant might be delayed or called off despite the dire need for it, and delay would strip it of its value,” Berri said in remarks to al-Manar TV.