Lebanese security authorities will announce the results of the investigation of the sniper attack on Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea in the coming hours, March 14 opposition circles said Tuesday.

The sources told An Nahar that the results of the probe would settle the controversy on whether Geagea escaped an assassination attempt or he was only shot at.

Lebanese expatriates are waiting for the cabinet decision on the mechanism that would allow them to cast their ballots in the 2013 elections as the session at the Baabda Palace on Wednesday is expected to tackle the issue.

“The cabinet would have to confront the complications that will be caused by the discussions on the mechanism that would enable expats to vote,” ministerial sources told An Nahar on Tuesday.

Lebanese officials are gearing up for the appointment of more than 39 ambassadors in embassies abroad but are facing a few obstacles that require a last minute solution, An Nahar daily reported Tuesday.

The newspaper said a meeting held between President Michel Suleiman and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour on Monday was aimed at discussing ways to fill vacant diplomatic seats ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections, which could witness votes by Lebanese expatriates.

President Michel Suleiman noted on Monday that French citizens of Lebanese heritage practiced their right to vote in France’s presidential election on Sunday.

He therefore said that “it is only natural for Lebanese expatriates to vote in the 2013 parliamentary elections.”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Monday that the majority of the parliament wants the cabinet to remain for several considerations, according to As Safir newspaper.

The vote of confidence revealed that “there’s no intention by anyone to topple the cabinet,” Suleiman told the daily.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi denied on Sunday that he supports the adoption of proportional representation for the 2013 parliamentary elections.

He said: “We support an electoral law that best represents the Lebanese people.”

The 2013 parliamentary elections cannot be held under a government that was not formed in a democratic manner, a leading opposition figure told the Kuwaiti al-Anba newspaper on Sunday.

It said: “A transitional government must be formed to oversee the elections and prepare the circumstances under which they can be held.”

Speaker Nabih Berri will likely propose a “solution” to the dispute over the parliamentary electoral law next week.

Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil told al-Manar television on Saturday that the solution entails adopting proportional representation for the law.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati is scheduled to travel to Brussels on Wednesday after holding a cabinet session at the Baabda Palace, headed by Presidents Michel Suleiman, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

The premier is expected to hold talks with his Belgian counterpart Elio Di Rupo and a number of high-ranking officials, including some from the European Commission.

President Michel Suleiman and his accompanying delegation returned to Beirut on Saturday following a six-day official visit to Australia.

In remarks to al-Liwaa daily on Saturday, Suleiman expressed relief at the situation in Lebanon, stressing however “this doesn’t mean we should leave it alone and not take care of it.”