Caretaker Economy Minister Mohammed Safadi on Sunday voiced his rejection of "the remarks that have attacked late premier Rafik Hariri who is the martyr of entire Lebanon," describing any insult against him as "an insult against the whole Lebanese people."

In a communiqué issued by his press office, Safadi also stressed that "the Resistance's arms should only be used to defend Lebanon against the Israeli enemy."

The United States should maintain military aid to the Lebanese army even if the government becomes controlled by Hizbullah, U.S. intelligence chief James Clapper said Thursday.

"I would think that to the extent that we can sustain influence and insight and help counterbalance the Hizbullah military wing, that it would be a good idea," Clapper, the director of national intelligence, told U.S. lawmakers.

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed on Thursday that the new majority in Lebanon did not prevent the March 14 camp from taking part in the new government.

He said: “We called for partnership from the start and we did not alter this position, but what is left of the March 14 camp rejected this partnership … They eliminated themselves from the new government and they have to assume the responsibility of their choice and not hold the new majority accountable for it.”

U.S. Congressman Steve Chabot, the new chairman of the U.S. House's Middle East subcommittee, has blasted the Obama administration over "its impotent response to Iran's repression of the opposition movement in 2009," Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper, Chabot charged that "Iran feels stronger" as a result of that reaction, arguing that such strengthening of Iran contributed to "the rise of Hizbullah in Lebanon."

Caretaker Minister of State for Administrative Reform Mohammed Fneish stated on Sunday that Lebanon has entered a new phase and a new political equation has been introduced to it, stressing that constitutional violations and attacks against Lebanon’s sovereignty are no longer acceptable.

He added: “Intimidation, terrorization, and threats are futile because this matter is connected to the new government and any procedure linked to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be halted in order for the new Cabinet to look into it.”

Informed circles predicted that the indictment in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri may be released before the March 14 rally set for March 13.

They told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that it is most likely set to be released between March 8 and 10.

House Speaker Nabih Berri’s sources revealed to the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that he is preparing a decisive response to Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s recent speech, noting that the speaker “no longer cares” that the ties between him and the premier have reached one of their worst points.

The paper also reported sources close to the March 8 camp as saying that Hizbullah “will not take a risk in any confrontation between it and Hariri that would harm the party’s new allies.”

Sources present at the March 14 General Secretariat’s extraordinary meeting on Saturday revealed to the daily An Nahar in remarks on Sunday that the talks addressed several ways to develop work mechanisms and widen the political and popular participation on the basis that “the defense of justice and the battle against Hizbullah’s arms will be long.”

The gatherers also agreed to continue their talks during the general secretariat’s weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Hizbullah sources accused the March 14 forces, headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, of “openly implementing Israeli demands.”

They told the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published on Sunday: “We have known from the start that Hariri and his political team did not support the concept of resistance, but they had to accommodate for us in the past due to the reality on the ground.”

The President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Antonio Cassese, has published the second STL Annual Report, "which outlines the successes of the past year as well as the challenges that the Tribunal has faced," STL's press office announced Friday.

"This has been a momentous year for the STL", said Cassese. "The submission of the first indictment by the Prosecutor (Daniel Bellemare) to the Pre-Trial Judge (Daniel Fransen) was highly significant and it marked the start of the judicial phase of the STL's life."