Speaker Nabih Berri criticized the criticism directed against the Lebanese army and parliament, saying that the two institutions are symbols of Lebanon's unity, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

He labeled the campaign against the army as “suspicious”, wondering why soldiers would be put on trial over the recent clashes in the southern region of Abra in the city of Sidon.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour sent on Friday letters to 28 of his European counterparts asking them to “act according to President Michel Suleiman's guidance” regarding placing Hizbullah on the list of "terrorist organizations."

"Mansour hoped in the letters that the European Union's ministers would not blacklist Hizbullah,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

Speaker Nabih Berri's aide Caretaker Minister Ali Hassan Khalil is expected to meet with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam on Friday for an extra dose of support to his government formation efforts.

An Nahar daily said that Berri tasked Khalil with contacting Salam for a meeting that is likely to take place on Friday.

Speaker Nabih Berri questioned on Wednesday the “suspicious campaign” directed against the army, as a report said the speaker is planning to resolve the vacuum in the army chief's post by a decree that calls for the postponement of Gen. Jean Qahwaji's retirement date for a limited period.

“What is the purpose of criticizing the military institution at a time when the country is in great need of its role in maintaining security and stability?” Berri asked during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence.

Speaker Nabih Berri is reportedly planning to resolve the vacuum in the army chief's post by a decree that calls for the postponement of Gen. Jean Qahwaji's retirement date for a limited period.

As Safir daily said Wednesday that the decree would be signed by President Michel Suleiman, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and the caretaker ministers of defense and finance.

A parliamentary session was postponed on Tuesday for the second consecutive time over lack of quorum caused by the boycott of several parliamentary blocs due to a dispute with Speaker Nabih Berri.

The three-day session was set by Berri for July 29.

Speaker Nabih Berri has warned that preventing Hizbullah from participating in the new government would be dangerous, saying the exclusion would be considered directed at him.

“Those calling for Hizbullah's isolation are pushing towards Lebanon’s destruction,” Berri told As Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

Contradicting reports emerged on Tuesday on whether Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Hizbullah secretary-general sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held talks recently.

Sources close to the two officials denied to al-Akhbar newspaper that the meeting, which allegedly occurred on Monday night, took place.

Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati denied an alleged dispute with Speaker Nabih Berri, saying their differences lied on the constitutionality of a parliamentary session amid a resigned government.

“There are differences between the executive and legislative branches on the interpretation of the constitution,” Miqati told As Safir newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday said no changes have been made to the agenda of Wednesday's parliamentary session

"Should there be lack of quorum, I will set a date for another session," Berri added.