Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri voiced his country's support for Lebanon's stability, hoping that officials would succeed in ending the deadlock over the government, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

He told the daily: “We are relying on the wisdom of national political figures to end the impasse.”

Speaker Nabih Berri has slammed the officials criticizing a possible extension of the term of Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, rejecting calls for the appointment of a new military commander before the expiry of his tenure.

The term of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous was extended for two years last week to safeguard its leadership, Berri told his visitors in remarks published in al-Joumhouria on Friday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed Thursday that the cabinet is the sole authority concerned with the appointment of civil servants.

Jumblat criticized some journalists without naming them, considering they have “a wide imagination.”

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is aware that the cabinet can convene despite the absence of Free Patriotic Movement ministers but is procrastinating on calling for a session to avoid a clash, sources close to the PM said.

The sources told al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday that Salam does not want to hit the political balance in the government.

Speaker Nabih Berri tenaciously rejected the paralysis of the cabinet as the Free Patriotic Movement refuses to budge an inch on its stance regarding the importance of conducting the appointments of civil servants before tackling any other state matter, al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported Tuesday.

“A couple of ministers have no right to obstruct the work of the government,” Berri said after talks with a delegation from al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Monday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat has called on Lebanon's rival parties to prevent their “absurd” differences from paralyzing the state, As Safir daily reported on Monday.

Jumblat, who visited Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh on Sunday, told As Safir that the dispute among the different parties, which is obstructing the work of constitutional institutions, is “minor and silly” and should not paralyze the entire country.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam has said that he was procrastinating in calling for a cabinet session this week over a dispute on the appointment of high-ranking officials while stressing that he has the jurisdiction is setting the agenda.

In remarks to local newspapers published on Monday, Salam said he decided to procrastinate on inviting cabinet ministers for a session on the basis that such a move, in addition to setting the agenda, fall under the powers granted to the premier.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat pledged Sunday to exert efforts to preserve stability in the country in coordination with Speaker Nabih Berri.

"I discussed with Berri the importance of some projects and we will try together, the same as we did in the past, to overcome political obstacles and consolidate stability,” said Jumblat after talks with Berri in Ain al-Tineh.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam telephoned Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday night to discuss the latest developments after the government entered a stage of paralysis.

Local dailies said Friday that Berri was asked if the cabinet would remain paralyzed over a dispute on the appointment of security and military officials.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat denied Thursday that he is seeking to conduct an initiative to resolve the lingering political crisis despite a meeting between his aide Health Minister Wael Abou Faour and Speaker Nabih Berri.

“In the capital Beirut I announce that I will not carry out any initiative,” Jumblat said on his Twitter account.