Energy Minister Jebran Bassil defended on Thursday oil refineries that have been accused of corruption saying they should be rewarded rather than questioned over the red diesel scandal.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Bassil said: “The oil refineries that are being accused of corruption and making illicit gains should be rewarded because they sold red diesel at a total amount that is less than what is allowed for and not more as is being rumored.”

Italian ambassador to Lebanon Giuseppe Morabito stressed on Thursday that Lebanon should continue to respect its international commitments and cooperation with the international community.

“The Lebanese people and political components are wise. They understand that Lebanon has no interest in isolating itself from the international community,” Morabito said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said on Thursday that he will send the Lebanese diplomatic missions a reminder about the importance of submitting the names of the expatriates who want to vote during the 2013 parliamentary elections.

An Nahar newspaper reported that the efforts exerted by the missions are insufficient as most reminders are posted on the walls of the embassies or consulates. But most expatriates don’t head to these centers.

President Michel Suleiman is exerting efforts to resume the national dialogue between Lebanese foes as he is seeking to convince the parliamentary majority and the opposition to meet, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Thursday.

Sources close to Suleiman told the daily that he is open to all suggestions and has expressed readiness to hold bilateral talks with various Lebanese leaders on the condition that they become the basis for holding the all-party talks.

The head of the Audit Bureau vowed on Thursday to unveil the truth behind a red diesel scandal that rocked Lebanon last week as he decided to send inspectors to the North after grilling directors general of oil refineries.

“There won’t be immunity and protection to anyone,” Judge Aouni Ramadan told As Safir daily. The Bureau will follow up the red diesel scandal until all the facts become clear, he said.

The cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Energy and Water Ministry to resume the controversial installation of high-voltage electricity lines in the Metn area of Mansouriyeh-Ain Saadeh, amid a verbal clash during the session between Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said Premier Najib Miqati stressed the importance of “solidarity” among the cabinet members and the need to avoid any dispute.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday left for the Russian capital Moscow aboard a private plane, state-run National News Agency reported.

The agency did not elaborate any further.

The Syrian National Council stressed on Wednesday that it seeks to establish strong ties between Syria and Lebanon that respect the sovereignty and independence of each country.

It said in an open letter to the Lebanese people: “To this end, the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council should be dissolved and agreements between the two countries should be revised.”

Speaker Nabih Berri reconciled on Wednesday the March 8 and 14 members of parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee after the opposition MPs boycotted it.

Berri headed a meeting of the committee after he exerted strong efforts to revive the work of the group.

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the government’s policy of “distancing itself” from the Syrian developments.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “It should instead work on fortifying Lebanon against the repercussions of the crisis.”