March 14 MP Marwan Hamadeh considered on Monday that the electoral subcommittee meetings are to witness the exchange of viewpoints among the rival political parties over which electoral law to adopt during the upcoming polls.

“If the electoral subcommittee meetings were a waste of time, we wouldn't have set more than one session,” Hamadeh said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday held talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati in Ain al-Tineh, state-run National News Agency reported.

Talks between the two officials tackled the current situations and developments and a number of issues, NNA said.

President Michel Suleiman is scheduled on January 22 to visit Moscow where he will meet with his Russian counterpart and receive an award on his role in calling for dialogue and opening channels of communication between bickering parties, the Central News Agency reported.

CNA said Thursday that Suleiman's two-day visit comes following an official invitation sent by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I.

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed optimism on Friday over the upcoming meeting of the parliamentary electoral subcommittee, saying that he rejects the adoption of an electoral draft law proposed by the Butros Committee.

Berri, in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper, hoped that the subcommittee meeting, which is tasked with discussing the electoral system and the number and size of districts, on Tuesday would constitute a breakthrough to the dispute over the electoral law.

Head of the electoral subcommittee aimed at tackling the parliamentary electoral law MP Robert Ghamen hoped on Thursday that an agreement would be reached with all of its members over a new law, reported the National News Agency.

He said: “We hope that all concerned sides would reach a common ground on the draft law during Tuesday's meeting.”

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly hoped on Monday that the 2013 parliamentary elections would be held on time.

She reiterated that “the United States welcomes Lebanese efforts to implement an electoral law that would pave the way for free, fair and transparent elections.”

Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel suggested that the March 14 opposition lawmakers pay the fees of their stay at a hotel near the parliament to attend the parliamentary subcommittee meetings aimed at discussing the new electoral draft law.

Informed sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that Gemayel argues that the parliament lacks the required budget to cover the expenses of the opposition MPs' stay at the hotel.

Speaker Nabih Berri advised on Monday the bickering parliamentary majority and the opposition to take advantage of the “golden opportunity” to agree on an electoral draft-law ahead of the 2013 parliamentary polls.

In remarks to several local newspapers, Berri said: “Everyone should drop their negative” attitudes.

Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati hoped that the parliamentary subcommittee that is set to resume its meetings in the new year would achieve their objective of reaching an agreement over a new electoral law, reported the daily An Nahar and As Safir on Saturday.

Berri told An Nahar: “It is necessary for the subcommittee to perform its required role ahead of referring its agreement to parliament, which will have the final say over the electoral law.”

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Thursday that threats to target foreign countries' interests in Lebanon will have negative impact on the country after the families of abducted Lebanese pilgrims in Syria warned of targeting Turkish interests if the men weren't released soon.

The president, during the final cabinet session of 2012 held at the Baabda Palace, pointed out that he is directly following up the case along with Prime Minister Najib Miqati and the competent ministerial committee.