A delegation of March 14 independent Christian lawmakers and officials discussed with Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday a proposal to divide Lebanon into a single district based on a hybrid system, said MP Butros Harb.

The delegation led by Harb visited Berri in Ain el-Tineh to discuss with him some new ideas following the controversial adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal by the joint parliamentary committees last week.

Independent Christian March 14 lawmakers and officials lamented on Thursday the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering parliamentary electoral law, saying that it harms Lebanon's diversity.

The gatherers said after a meeting at MP Butros Harb's residence: “This law paves the way for the formation of sectarian statelets and the division of Lebanon in a manner that contradicts the country's diversity.”

The members of the March 14 opposition alliance, who have severely criticized the so-called Orthodox Gathering draft-law, warned again on Wednesday that the country would be shattered if parliament gives it the green light.

In remarks to al-Liwaa daily, March 14 independent Christian MP Butros Harb said he sought to convince Speaker Nabih Berri during a meeting of the joint parliamentary committees to postpone the approval of the proposal's 2nd article.

March 14 MP Butros Harb denied overnight reports that two men detained for the possession of hashish, were his bodyguards, pointing out that he is holding on to his right to prosecute any person who “impersonates" him.

“MP Harb denies that any of his staff members or bodyguards use drugs. The MP was surprised with the news,” a statement issued by his press office on Tuesday night said.

Military Examining Magistrate Judge Fadi Sawan issued on Tuesday an in absentia arrest warrant for a Hizbullah member charged with the attempted murder of Batroun MP Butros Harb.

The state-run National News Agency said the judge is questioning witnesses in the case.

Batroun MP Butros Harb expressed fears on Sunday that the Assad regime would use the pastoral visit of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to Damascus to meet political objectives.

“It's a pastoral visit made by the patriarch with the aim of consolidating Maronite-Orthodox cooperation,” Harb said.

A decision by General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi to reopen the fraud case at al-Madina Bank raised question marks on his intentions, only days after he requested lifting the parliamentary immunity off MP Butros Harb for allegedly offending the president and the judiciary.

Madi tasked on Thursday an experts committee to reveal the names of persons who had received funds from al-Madina and its twin the United Credit Bank.

Opposition lawmaker Butros Harb revealed Thursday that President Michel Suleiman has expressed frustration over the general prosecutor's request to strip the MP of his parliamentary immunity.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Harb said: “The president is very upset by General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi's request and informed me that he did not know that he would take such a measure.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati renewed on Wednesday his condemnation of the Arsal clash, calling on all sides to cooperate in handing over the assailants to the judiciary, while hoping that the national dialogue would be resumed.

He said: “We are obligated to reassure the people and not issue political statements, which some sides believe will increase their popularity, that only serve to widen the divide between the people.”

Speaker Nabih Berri advocated on Wednesday the adoption of an electoral draft-law referred by the government to the parliament after al-Mustaqbal made a new proposal that its critics said limited the representation of Christians in the legislature.

LBCI TV said that Berri referred al-Mustaqbal's draft-law to the government to study it pending its referral to the joint parliamentary committees.