President Michel Suleiman stated on Thursday that possible security dangers should not hinder the staging of the parliamentary elections, because these dangers will be more severe should the polls not be held and the term of the current parliament be extended.

He said: “There is a 95 percent chance that the elections will be held, but not according to the 1960 law.”

Head of the Economic Committees Adnan Kassar stressed on Thursday the importance of preserving the ties between Lebanon and the Gulf states a day after the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed concern over the situation in the country.

“Any decision taken by the Gulf countries will have negative repercussions on Lebanon's economy and will affect the Lebanese expats in those countries,” Kassar said after holding talks with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.

The Syndicate Coordination Committee slammed on Thursday the cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Miqati, vowing to continue its open-ended strike until the new wage scale is referred to the parliament.

“We will rise on Monday, students and teachers will unite in all schools,” head of Public Secondary School Education Teachers Association Hanna Gharib said during a protest near the tenders administration building in Beirut's Verdun area.

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblat assured that he will not wage the parliamentary elections under the controversial Orthodox Gathering draft-law, assuring that it's better for political parties to agree on a law that pleases all parties, the pan Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily reported Thursday.

In an interview with the daily, Jumblat disagreed with sayings that the Christian politicians in Lebanon made an unprecedented stance uniting on the Orthodox draft-law.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea considered on Thursday that the Lebanese foes should reconsider dialogue to confront the current situation in the country and to achieve swift solutions over the electoral law and other main issues.

Geagea expressed readiness to resume dialogue with the rival parties to resolve the ongoing disputes.

The United Arab Emirates reiterated warnings to its citizens not to travel to Lebanon over security fears, media reports said on Thursday.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper, UAE called on citizens who wish to head to Lebanon to fill an application that confirms that their visit to Beirut is on their own responsibility.

The ties between the Gulf states and Lebanese authorities are expected to deteriorate over the country's alleged failure to abide by the government's policy of disassociation from regional developments amid reports that several parties are involved in the Syrian turmoil.

According to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday, the Gulf Cooperation Council's secretary general Abdul Latif al-Zayani handed over to President Michel Suleiman the day before a letter expressing “great concern” over the government's failure to abide by the Baabda Declaration.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun announced on Tuesday his commitment to holding the parliamentary elections on time.

He added however that he opposes staging them according to the amended version of the 1960 law that was adopted during the last elections, held in 2009.

The European Commission will provide additional €30 million to Lebanon to alleviate the impact of the high influx of refugees from Syria, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule announced during his visit to Beirut on Tuesday.

“Lebanon receives the highest number of people fleeing the horrible bloodshed in Syria and we know that it puts this country under enormous strain. The hospitality and generosity displayed by the Lebanese towards their neighbors is admirable and commendable,” said Fule.

March 8 coalition lawmakers considered on Tuesday the signing of the electoral decree a “black day” in the history of legislation, stressing that it will not be approved by the parliament.

“We reject the adoption of the 1960 law... It will not be approved” by the parliament, Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, told reporters gathered at the parliament.