Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement achieved major results, such as the consolidation of national security, and said it will continue to make serious progress.

The talks between the two parties' representatives “is not a folklore and not (only aimed at) limiting Sunni-Shiite tension,” Berri told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published on Tuesday.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Sunday that dialogue had already kicked off with the Free Patriotic Movement, pointing out that talks will not only focus on the presidential deadlock but also touches on basic and notable matters.

“We are not seeking to carry out a dialogue to take pictures,” Geagea said in an interview published in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi slammed on Friday some journalists and TV stations without naming them for reports and shows that “contradict moral values” and said Lebanon's presidential crisis is linked to Sunni-Shiite discord.

“Some writings and TV shows are violating sanctity and resorting to deception and lies for money-making purposes,” said al-Rahi.

Messages exchanged between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces included issues linked to stability in Lebanon and the flaws in the implementation of the Taef Accord, An Nahar daily reported on Thursday.

LF leader Samir Geagea revealed during a press conference on Wednesday that both sides have exchanged the messages ahead of his expected talks with his rival, FPM chief MP Michel Aoun.

Lebanese officials and political leaders condemned Wednesday the attack on the Paris offices of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 people dead, saying the incident was not only an assault against France but also against Islam itself.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam sent a cable to French President Francois Hollande, condoling him over the victims and expressing “the solidarity of the Lebanese people with France.”

Lebanese Forces chief confirmed on Wednesday that talks with the Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun are serious, pointing that Hizbullah's involvement in the war raging in the neighboring country Syria has engaged Lebanon in turmoil.

“Dialogue between us and the FPM is very serious but the matter is not that easy. We have been at loggerheads for 30 years and it was not for simple or ridiculous reasons,” said Geagea in a press conference at Maarab following a postponed parliamentary session to elect a president.

The Maronite Bishops Council hailed on Wednesday efforts exerted by rival parties to resolve the ongoing disputes, saying that the country requires a more comprehensive dialogue that includes the national principles.

“Lebanon has no future if it remains taken hostage by the regional and local disputes,” the council said after it's monthly meeting in Bkirki, expressing hope that talks between the political arch-foes would be fruitful.

The parliament failed once again to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum despite all the openness of the rival parties to engage in dialogue to end the presidential deadlock.

Speaker Nabih Berri postponed, for the 17th time, the session until 28 January.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan on Monday held a meeting with a Lebanese Forces official to set the stage for talks between Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and LF chief Samir Geagea, stressing that the dialogue aims to contribute to joint action.

Kanaan told As Safir daily published on Tuesday that the “objective of the dialogue is to contribute to a joint action base on many issues.”

Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan denied that the upcoming dialogue between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces is a direct result of the talks between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement, stressing it aims at finding a presidential candidate without the interference of outside powers.

“Talks with the LF is not a reaction to the ongoing dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal,” Kanaan told al-Liwaa newspaper in an interview published on Monday.