Speaker Nabih Berri revealed that the demarcation of Lebanon's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Mediterranean was among the issues he discussed with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his visit to the country last week, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Monday.

Berri told the daily that Ban was “receptive of an official Lebanese request that the U.N. demarcate the Lebanon's EEZ, which borders Israel.”

Speaker Nabih Berri is keen on the election of a new head of state “in order to end the crisis in Lebanon,” reported the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah on Sunday.

Parliamentary sources told the daily that this “entail the attendance of lawmakers at the elections.”

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday called for putting an end to the latest “debate” in the country over Lebanon's Arab identity, amid a row between Iran-backed Hizbullah and Saudi Arabia and its Lebanese allies.

Speaking to MPs during the weekly parliamentary meeting in Ain al-Tineh, Berri urged an end to the exchange of tirades, noting that Lebanon's Arab identity is enshrined in the preamble to the Lebanese Constitution.

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced on Saturday his support for the ceasefire deal that was reached in Syria, hoping that it will pave the way for peace in the neighboring country.

He said in a statement: “Peace in Syria will allow Lebanon to overcome its crises.”

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri postponed a trip to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh until the return of Speaker Nabih Berri from Belgium, reported al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday.

Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said that the two officials are expected to hold a meeting.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Jones stressed on Thursday that holding the municipal elections in Lebanon is a “great way to preserve Lebanese democracy.”

He said after meeting Speaker Nabih Berri: “We agreed on the importance of holding them on schedule.”

Hizbullah announced over the weekend its boycott of Monday's presidential elections session in a step that has gone against the wishes of Speaker Nabih Berri, reported the Kuwaiti daily al-Anba on Sunday.

Sources from the speaker told the daily that he “had sought to ensure the necessary quorum for Monday's meeting, but he was not lucky.”

A national dialogue session was held at Speaker Nabih Berri's Ain el-Tineh residence on Wednesday to address the latest developments in the country.

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh revealed after the talks that the gatherers did not address the presidential deadlock.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil described on Tuesday Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's nomination of Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun as president as a “breakthrough” in Lebanon.

He remarked after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “We are witnessing a breakthrough, which we hope will speed up the election of a president and we hope our allies will support us.”

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed his disappointment over the manner in which former Minister Michel Samaha was released from jail after he was arrested on terrorism charges, reported various media on Saturday.

His visitors quoted him as saying that the Military General Prosecution “should have awaited the verdict” before releasing the former minister.