Prime Minister Najib Miqati hailed on Wednesday the efforts exerted by the ministries and agencies to decrease the impact of the storm on the citizens and properties after the cabinet approved LL3 billion to the citizens who were affected by it.

“Lebanon is witnessing a storm that holds a blessing despite the inflicted damages,” Miqati said during a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat described his meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri as “excellent,” saying he is convinced that dialogue and abiding by the Taef accord are the only solutions to end the political deadlock in the country.

“It is necessary to periodically meet with Berri and discuss with him all the developments,” Jumblat said in comments to As Safir newspaper on Wednesday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Tuesday visited Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, saying all problems must be resolved through “dialogue.”

“Outstanding issues and political problems must be resolved through dialogue and understanding,” said Jumblat after the meeting.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat openly opposed on Tuesday the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering proposal, describing it as an “adventure.”

“Adopting the Christian proposal has many risks that would lead to extremism and isolation of sects,” Jumblat told As Safir newspaper.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat hoped on Monday that the Lebanese factions would restore contacts between each other instead of awaiting the outcome of the Syrian crisis.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “Those seeking to make their political plans based on the belief that the Syrian crisis will end soon are mistaken.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stated that the meeting he held on Friday with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati was an opportunity to assess the local and Arab situations, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

He told the daily: “Talks focused on finding ways to end the political crisis in Lebanon given the halt of the national dialogue.”

President Michel Suleiman hailed on Saturday the completion of the reconciliation process in the Mountains, in particular, in the mixed town of Brih in the Shouf.

Suleiman considered that the reconciliation fortifies the national unity and coexistence among the Lebanese as it will strengthen the ties between the residents of the Mountains and the rest of the people.

Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat said Saturday that dialogue was an absolute necessity after President Michel Suleiman failed once again to bring the rival March 8 and 14 camps together.

“Dialogue comes first and is required at this dangerous stage,” he said in remarks to As Safir daily, stressing that his calls for continued cooperation among Lebanon's bickering camps haven't changed.

President Michel Suleiman officially postponed on Saturday a national dialogue session set to take place at the Baabda Palace.

According to a statement issued by the presidential palace, Suleiman informed all-party talks participants the postponement of Monday's session without setting a new date.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat revealed on Friday that the reconciliation in the Mountains was complete after the end of violations against Christian properties in a mixed village in the Shouf district.

“We will hold a reconciliation ceremony under the auspices of the (Maronite) patriarch and the president after the wound of the town of Brih healed following the end of violations against the properties of Christians,” Jumblat told reporters in Bkirki.