Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Tuesday that Iran is open to dialogue with all powers, reported al-Alam television.

He told the station: “Iran's openness falls in the interests of Muslims and Arab countries.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Sunday reported “positive” developments in the cabinet formation process, noting that Speaker Nabih Berri “always facilitates things.”

Jumblat, who visited Ain el-Tineh with caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour, told al-Manar TV that “meetings with Berri always lead to positive things.”

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri reportedly gave on Friday his approval on a cabinet based on the 8-8-8 lineup, as President Michel Suleiman stated he will form a government if no consensus was reached between the political foes.

"A meeting held between (caretaker Social Affairs Minister) Wael Abu Faour and (head of Hariri's office) Nader Hariri has ended a while ago and the former PM accepted the 8-8-8 cabinet formula,” LBCI television reported on Friday evening.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat expressed hope on Friday that the political foes would reach an agreement over the cabinet formation process.

“I am seeking to bridge the gap between the political foes,” Jumblat said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

The March 8 alliance was waiting for the final go ahead of al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri on a cabinet proposal as the party sought answers on several questions, including the policy statement.

An Nahar daily quoted informed sources as saying on Thursday that the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, which has accepted an 8-8-8 government formula, was waiting for Hariri's answer, whose movement is a member of the March 14 alliance.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam said he was betting on the efforts exerted by Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and the advisors of Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri to clinch a deal on the new government.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Wednesday, Salam denied that a final agreement has been reached among the rival parties on the form and shape of the cabinet.

President Michel Suleiman agreed on Tuesday to give a chance to discuss the 8-8-8 cabinet lineup but did not commit to ruling out forming a neutral council of ministers.

Suleiman's stances came in a meeting with the adviser of Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hussein Khalil, and Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who's the political adviser to Speaker Nabih Berri.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat slammed on Tuesday attempts to target the image of the northern city of Tripoli, saying that it embraces coexistence among its people.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “The residents of Tripoli have long been proud of their city's diversity.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea reiterated on Monday his rejection to the formation of an all-embracing cabinet, stressing the importance of carrying out the presidential elections on time.

“We are passing through a delicate stage and only five months separate us from the presidential elections deadline... The only reasonable thing is to form a cabinet that aims at achieving Lebanon's highest interest without March 8 and 14 alliances,” Geagea said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat had recently revived talks over the possible formation of a 24-member cabinet that would see each of the political camps obtain eight ministers, reported As Safir on Monday.

He had recently made the proposal to Speaker Nabih Berri who explained that such a cabinet would be formed along with reaching a political settlement and the resolution of various disputes that would appease all sides.