The European Union's Political and Security Committee expressed on Saturday support for the Lebanese government in its efforts to preserve security and backed the Lebanese Armed Forces in confronting internal and external threats.

The members of the committee chaired by Olof Skoog met with Prime Minister Najib Miqati in the presence of EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst at the Grand Serail.

Speaker Nabih Berri has announced respect for the viewpoint of all parties that have proposed electoral draft-laws but he remains adamant on the adoption of Lebanon as a single electoral district, his sources and An Nahar daily reported.

Berri met on Thursday with a ministerial delegation from the Progressive Socialist Party that said the speaker expressed “openness” to hear the suggestion of all sides on a law for the 2013 parliamentary elections.

A “tense” meeting held recently between Speaker Nabih Berri and U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly tackled Lebanon's offshore natural reserves, As Safir newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The two officials discussed the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in which Berri suggested that the 854 square kilometers that Lebanon and Israel are bickering over should be a neutral area.

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed belief on Tuesday that the rival political parties in Lebanon are gearing up for the 2014 presidential elections.

“The battle over the 2013 electoral draft law is linked to the presidential elections... It reveals the votes of the newly elected MPs,” Berri said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

Speaker Nabih Berri discussed with al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc head MP Fouad Saniora a wide range of issues including the electoral draft law and the social and economy situation.

Sources told An Nahar newspaper published on Tuesday this is the first meeting held between the two since the cabinet of ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri was toppled in January 2011 by the March 8 alliance, in which Berri is a key player.

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced on Monday his support to the measures undertaken by the army in the northeastern Bekaa border town of Arsal.

“The army should be allowed to assume its tasks... It is carrying out its responsibilities to the fullest,” Berri said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

Cypriot Defense Minister Dimitris Eliadis held talks on Saturday with senior Lebanese officials who stressed that the bilateral ties between Lebanon and Cyprus are “excellent.”

“Lebanon's stability is a key component to maintain stability in the region,” Eliadis said during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Minister Fayez Ghosn.

Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated his support on Thursday to the electoral draft law approved by the cabinet, calling for popular protests in the United States and across the world to push towards an agreement that bans any attack on religious symbols.

“Lebanon's salvation is based on the electoral reform that includes the right representations and eases the sectarian tension,” Berri said in remarks published in As Safir newspaper.

President Michel Suleiman is adamant to propose his vision on the country's defense strategy during a national dialogue session scheduled to be held at Baabda Palace on Thursday, Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury, who is close to the head of state, said.

However, al-Khoury told al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday that the discussion of the strategy depends on the presence of all members of the all-party talks.

The joint parliamentary committees convened on Wednesday to tackle the government-approved electoral law.

Media reports said however that the session was later suspended over a lack of quorum when opposition MPs withdrew from the meeting.