Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati revealed on Friday that he will name Beirut MP Tammam Salam to the premiership during the binding consultations.

“I hope he gets the majority of votes and the rival parties reach consensus on his candidacy,” Miqati said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea hailed the decision taken by the March 14 alliance to name Beirut MP Tammam Salam to the premiership, describing the choice of his nomination as “manufactured locally.”

“Salam is a moderate person and has characteristics that we are desperately in need of,” Geagea said in comments to al-Akhbar newspaper.

Caretaker PM Najib Miqati stressed on Thursday that he will not accept to be nominated to lead the new government unless there was consensual agreement on him among political parties.

“I thank everyone who wanted to name me to lead the new cabinet but I will not accept this honor unless I gained the approval and consensus of all parties,” said Miqati in a statement.

President Michel Suleiman asked the army chief on Thursday to deliver the ministry of foreign affairs copies of security reports on the latest Syrian airstrikes on the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal.

A statement issued by the presidential palace said Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji visited Suleiman who asked him to hand the ministry the copies of the raids in Arsal on Wednesday and another attack that took place on March 18.

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri called on Thursday for the formation of a cabinet that reflects the expectations of all the Lebanese people, saying national dialogue was necessary to resolve disputes.

“Saudi Arabia doesn't interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs and we hope for consensus on the formation of the new government,” Asiri told reporters in Bkirki following talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

Binding consultations for naming a prime minister-designate are likely to result in nearly 60 MPs in favor of the March 14 alliance's candidate, An Nahar daily reported on Thursday as MP Tammam Salam held talks with al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri, a sign that he is the coalition's candidate.

The newspaper said that another 58 MPs would come in support of the March 8 camp's nominee while the rest of the lawmakers would not name any PM-designate who will be tasked with forming the new cabinet less than a month after the resignation of Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is holding on to the carrying out of the upcoming parliamentary elections on time to "preserve the democratic system in the country."

Hariri, according to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Thursday, hailed the stances of President Michel Suleiman, considering that he is implementing the constitution and the national pact.

President Michel Suleiman urged the international community on Thursday to pressure Israel into respecting international treaties on prisoners rights after the death of a Palestinian prisoner suffering from terminal cancer.

Suleiman condemned “the premeditated Israeli negligence of the situation of prisoners in Israeli jails" that led to the death of Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh on Tuesday.

Syrian warplanes pounded on Wednesday a house on the outskirts of the eastern border town of Arsal.

The house belongs to a member of al-Awad family, the state-run National News Agency reported.

President Michel Suleiman underwent on Wednesday a scheduled medical check-up at the Clinique du Levant in Mkalles, the presidency said in a statement.

According to the presidential palace, Suleiman, 65, is well and resumed his activity shortly at the Baabda Palace.