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.”

Outgoing Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stated on Sunday that the Lebanese people, regardless of which sect they belong to, cannot say that they are deeply divided as “they are all indebted to Lebanon.”

He stressed to MTV that Lebanon is currently better off than some Arab countries, adding that it will “always remain the safest and most peaceful nation in the region.”

Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz held talks on Saturday with Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri who is visiting the Kingdom at the head of a delegation, reported the Saudi Arabian news agency.

The talks focused on bilateral ties and issues of joint interest.

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.”

Saturday’s ceremony honoring outgoing Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir garnered the majority of the political sides in Lebanon with the noted absence of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

The ceremony was marked by the withdrawal of FPM ministers Jebran Bassil and Fadi Abboud, as well as MP Alain Aoun, because Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was seated in the front row along with ministers from his bloc.

Political circles monitoring the government formation process revealed that three obstacles are hindering the formation of the new Cabinet.

They told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper that the first of these obstacles is Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s insistence on acquiring the interior ministry portfolio from President Michel Suleiman.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s circles stated that there are “devious attempts” to drag him into debates and commitments prior to the formation of the new government and the establishment of its ministerial statement.

They told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday that the prime minister-designate is focusing his attention on forming a government that would appease all sides, and he is aware of efforts to divert attention away from the government to other affairs.

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.”