The funeral procession for the head of the Democratic Renewal Movement, ex-MP Nassib Lahoud, was held at the St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut in the presence of top officials, diplomats, dignitaries and family members.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who on Saturday kicked off a five-day tour of Beirut parishes, presided over the memorial service.

Speaker Nabih Berri is not likely to make any mediation attempts between Premier Najib Miqati and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun before the PM’s visit to Paris next week.

Al-Liwaa daily on Saturday quoted a Berri visitor as saying that a solution to the dispute between the two sides is not imminent.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that the March 14-led opposition is capable of toppling the government through popular protests.

He added however: “The current circumstances are not suitable for such an action.”

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed confidence in the ability of Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun to resolve the cabinet crisis and reactivate its work.

“I am confident Miqati and Aoun are keen to safeguard the government and resume its activities,” Berri told An Nahar newspaper on Friday.

Speaker Nabih Berri stated on Thursday that Lebanon’s policy of distancing itself from the developments in the Arab world has preserved the Lebanese people’s interests.

He said: “Lebanon’s positive neutrality on all issues, except those related to Israel, has protected the country’s interests.”

News about the alleged assassination attempt of the head of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch, Col. Wissam al-Hassan, revealed that Speaker Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblat might also be targeted, according to newspapers published on Monday.

An Nahar daily reported that security agencies urged Berri and Jumblat to take precautions as they move from and into their residences in Ain al-Tineh and Clemenceau.

The investigation of the Central Inspection Board on an energy scandal has focused on the authority that gave the orders to the refinery in northern Lebanon to deliver huge amounts of red diesel hours before the end of a one-month government subsidy, An Nahar daily reported Sunday.

It quoted sources involved in the investigation as saying that the Board’s preliminary report will be handed over to Speaker Nabih Berri and the head of the parliamentary energy committee, MP Mohammed Qabbani, on Monday for action.

The deadlock on judicial appointments hasn’t been solved yet as President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun continue to hold onto their own candidates for the post of the head of the Higher Judicial Council.

An Nahar daily quoted Suleiman’s visitors as saying on Friday that the appointments should not be in a state of stalemate under any excuse. “Differences of opinion should not prevent the process of necessary appointments in the state.”

The head of the Audit Bureau vowed on Thursday to unveil the truth behind a red diesel scandal that rocked Lebanon last week as he decided to send inspectors to the North after grilling directors general of oil refineries.

“There won’t be immunity and protection to anyone,” Judge Aouni Ramadan told As Safir daily. The Bureau will follow up the red diesel scandal until all the facts become clear, he said.

Speaker Nabih Berri reconciled on Wednesday the March 8 and 14 members of parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee after the opposition MPs boycotted it.

Berri headed a meeting of the committee after he exerted strong efforts to revive the work of the group.