Speaker Nabih Berri is holding consultations with political foes away from media spotlight as a last attempt for reaching common ground over a new electoral law before resorting to the extension of the parliament's mandate.

A proposal made by Zahle MP Nicolas Fattoush to extend the mandate of the parliament by two years was sent to lawmakers later on Wednesday to study it.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam said on Monday that he is considering the alternatives before announcing the formation of his cabinet as he can't take a final decision ahead of the results reached by the parliamentary subcommittee.

“I am giving the parliamentary blocs and the electoral subcommittee the chance to reach an agreement over the electoral law before I take any decisive stance,” Salam said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed regret on Monday on the sharp rift between Lebanese foes over the new electoral law, pointing out that there are only two options either political vacuum or extending the mandate of the parliament.

“Officials didn't act responsibly,” Miqati said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

The parliamentary electoral subcommittee failed on Monday to reach an agreement over a new electoral law as Speaker Nabih Berri did not set a date for a new session, reported LBCI television.

It said that the speaker will hold contacts with various officials over the next two days before setting the date for a new meeting.

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel reiterated on Sunday that he would ask the government to convene to approve the necessary funding to hold the elections and establish the committee that would supervise the polls.

In remarks to al-Mustaqbal newspaper, Charbel said: “I will hold the elections based on the valid law and let everyone assume his responsibility.”

MP Nicolas Fattoush has submitted a proposal on a two-year extension of parliament's mandate without coordinating with any side, the caretaker minister said Sunday, a day before an expected deal on running in the elections under the 1960 law.

“I made my proposal without coordinating with any party,” Fattoush told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) without confirming a report in An Nahar daily if his proposal was aimed at making a two-year extension.

President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri are likely to disagree on the extension of the current parliament's term given the political parties' failure to reach an agreement over a new electoral law, reported al-Akhbar newspaper Saturday.

Suleiman's circles said that the president reportedly opposes extending the term for more than four months.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Friday called on all politicians in Lebanon to continue to seek consensus over a new electoral law, urging an end to the “treason accusations” among Christians leaders.

“After six years of proposing draft laws and wasting days and months in studying proposals and holding consultations and meetings, failing to reach a new law for parliamentary elections would harm the image of the parliament and political officials in Lebanon, and subsequently the image of Lebanon and the dignity of its people,” al-Rahi said in an appeal to Lebanon's leaders from Colombia.

Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned the meeting of the parliamentary electoral subcommittee to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, awaiting the feedback of the Lebanese Forces and al-Mustaqbal bloc regarding the remarks raised by the March 8 camp over the hybrid electoral law.

Berri stressed after the afternoon meeting that he does not favor the extension of the parliament's term, “not even for one single day.”

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Friday “categorically” denied a media report claiming that he had proposed to Speaker Nabih Berri to exchange the extension of parliament’s term with the so-called 8-8-8 cabinet line-up formula in addition to the rotation of portfolios.

A report published Friday in As Safir newspaper said should Berri reject the alleged deal, al-Mustaqbal Movement would refuse to extend parliament’s mandate and would submit the nominations of its candidates as of next Monday according to the 1960 electoral law.