French Senate deputy leader Jean-Pierre Raffarin stressed on Monday the autonomy of the Lebanese government, stressing that France respects Lebanon’s sovereignty.

He hoped after holding talks with President Michel Suleiman that the Lebanese government would be formed soon in order to resume cooperation between the country’s various ministries.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams stressed on Monday the need to form a new government as there are many problems in Lebanon that need to be addressed.

He said after holding talks with President Michel Suleiman: “There are many problems before Lebanon, problems of economy, problems of security and these problems are growing by the day.”

President Michel Suleiman asserted to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman that Lebanese-Syrian ties “are as old as the two countries,” reported As Safir newspaper on Monday.

His statements came as a response to the U.S. official’s inquiry about Lebanon’s position on the developments in Syria, which Feltman was surprised by, according to the newspaper.

Premier-designate Najib Miqati is expected to launch in the next few days a new round of consultations aimed at forming the new government in coordination with Speaker Nabih Berri, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and Hizbullah.

March 8 sources told An Nahar newspaper on Monday that Miqati would play an essential role in reviving the consultations that reached a standstill last week over allegedly growing demands by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

Hizbullah MPs have said that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman has informed President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Najib Miqati that the new cabinet should not be formed.

The MPs told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Sunday that Feltman carried a message to Suleiman and Miqati that the government “should not witness light.”

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman ended his visit to Lebanon on Saturday after holding talks with a number of Lebanese officials on the government formation process, including President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati.

A U.S. Embassy statement said on Friday that he reiterated the U.S.'s view that the international community will assess its relationship with any new government of Lebanon based on the make-up of the next cabinet, its ministerial statement and the actions it takes in regard to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Lebanon's other international obligations.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held talks on Friday with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda palace on Bkirki’s efforts on the Christian and national levels.

The Patriarch also presented him with an icon of the late Pope John Paul II.

Visiting deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Reza Shebani delivered a message of support from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman, reported al-Jumhuriya newspaper on Friday.

The message includes the Islamic Republic's position on regional issues, while asserting its ongoing support to Lebanon.

No progress will be reached in the government formation for before ten days due to the regional developments and numerous diplomatic visits to Lebanon and the region, a concerned source told al-Jumhuriya newspaper in remarks published on Friday.

President Michel Suleiman’s circles meanwhile noted that there are no new developments in the consultations in the government formation.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati stated on Friday that forming a responsible government in Lebanon stems from “a pure national will”.

He said after holding talks with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman that he accepted his role as premier “in order to establish a national and productive government capable of living up to the expectations of the Lebanese.”