Berri to Reportedly Visit Saudi Soon, Explains to Saniora 'Mediation' He was Tasked with in Iran

Head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora on Sunday held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh on the latest developments in Lebanon, as a media report said the speaker wanted to put the ex-PM in the picture of a "mediation" he was tasked with in Iran.

"During his visit to Iran, Berri informed its leaders that he was willing to exert efforts to achieve Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, and he was tasked with this mission, but he did not want to bypass the Mustaqbal Movement so he held a meeting with Saniora," MTV reported.

It added that Berri will visit Saudi Arabia within two weeks at the latest to kickstart this "mediation."

Saniora was also scheduled to meet Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, according to An Nahar newspaper.

The ex-PM discussed with Berri "the current situations and developments and a number of recent issues," state-run National News Agency reported.

The two men continued their talks over lunch, according to NNA.

"Based on what we started during our successive meetings over the various issues, this meeting was a continuation of this atmosphere and the talks were positive and we will carry on with these meetings," Saniora told reporters after the talks.

An Nahar had said that Saniora's talks with Berri would tackle ways to ease the political and security tensions in Lebanon through stressing the need to form a new government as soon as possible.

This marks the fourth meeting between the two officials in two months.

Saniora and Berri were also expected to highlight the importance of avoiding political vacuum in Lebanon and the need to reach an agreement over a new parliamentary electoral law.

Later this week, the head of the Mustaqbal bloc is scheduled to meet with Patriarch al-Rahi to address next year's presidential elections and the need to hold them on time.

Saniora's meeting with al-Rahi was preceded by one held between the patriarch and Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat and Hadi Hbeish both of whom discussed the elections.

An Nahar daily on Saturday reported that Berri is expected to brief Saniora on his recent trip to Iran.

The speaker on Saturday refused to discuss fears that next year's presidential elections were under threat, saying he would deal with the issue when the Constitutional deadline approaches.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014.

Under article 49 of the Lebanese Constitution, the president is elected by secret ballot and by a two thirds majority of the 128-seat parliament.