The March 14 opposition alliance is hinging on a French-Saudi initiative that would steer Lebanon clear of the Syrian war and lead to a change in the Lebanese government, al-Mustaqbal movement sources said Wednesday.

Such an initiative would keep Lebanon away of the “Syrian swamp” and could expand to include the United States and Russia, the sources told As Safir daily.

The major point of contention between Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and the March 14 opposition alliance is his insistence to reappoint Prime Minister Najib Miqati if the cabinet collapses, As Safir daily reported on Tuesday.

Jumblat, a centrist, has a major role in deciding the fate of the majority alliance that makes up the current Hizbullah-led cabinet.

French President Francois Hollande discussed Iran and the situation in unrest-hit Syria with Saudi King Abdullah in the city of Jeddah on Sunday on his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom, a spokesman said.

"The president discussed with King Abdullah the peace process in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear programe, the Syrian crisis, as well as cooperation between both countries," Romain Nadal told Agence France Presse after a two-hour meeting between the leaders.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed French President Francois Hollande that the March 14 opposition alliance holds onto its decision to call for the formation of a neutral government to salvage Lebanon, An Nahar daily reported on Sunday, as the ex-PM attended a lunch banquet in honor of the French leader in Jeddah.

The newspaper quoted French sources as saying that Hariri sent a letter to Hollande on the eve of his short visit to Beirut on Sunday.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati's visit to Paris is still being discussed between Lebanese and French authorities after several local newspapers reported that the premier's visit to the French capital is being reconsidered due to French President Francois Hollande's “surprise” visit to Beirut on Sunday.

“No date has been scheduled yet to Miqati's visit to Paris,” the premier's office said on Saturday in comments to Naharnet.

French President Francois Hollande is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Sunday in a bid to emphasize France's support for President Michel Suleiman as the “national unity guardian”, as well to emphasize the necessity of dialogue among Lebanese factions, the daily An Nahar said Saturday.

Hollande's visit will last for three hours. He is keen to make this visit to express his country's support to Suleiman, whom France considers the “guardian of national unity,” the daily added.

French President Francois Hollande is set to arrive in Beirut on Sunday for a three-hour visit to meet with his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Suleiman, As Safir newspaper reported.

A diplomatic source told the newspaper published on Friday that the “significance of this visit is that it comes amid the delicate situation that Lebanon and the region are passing through.”

French President Francois Hollande vowed Thursday to wipe out anti-Semitism and ensure the security of Jews as he and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu paid homage to three children and a rabbi killed by an Islamist gunman in southwestern France.

"France will hunt down terrorism ...by all possible means," Hollande said during the emotional service at the Ohr Torah school in Toulouse, where the four were shot dead by al-Qaida inspired killer Mohamed Merah on March 19.

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace talks without any conditions, while criticizing continued Israeli occupation.

"Only negotiations can lead to a definitive solution," he said after his first direct meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris.

French police Tuesday unveiled a damning report that showed up several loopholes in the investigation of al-Qaida-inspired gunman Mohamed Merah before his shooting spree in Toulouse.

The 17-page report by the police disciplinary unit IGPN said "several objective failures had come to light," including a "delayed coordinated reaction," as Interior Minister Manuel Valls vowed to "rapidly put into place the necessary adjustments."