After his meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to Beirut Walid Al-Bukhari, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, said communication with Saudi Arabia existed before and will continue.

Earlier in the day, Berri received Al-Bukhari at the headquarters of the second presidency in Ain Al-Tineh, where the two discussed the general situation in Lebanon, the region, and the bilateral relations between Riyadh and Beirut.

The Saudi Ambassador told reporters that there is "certainly" something positive underway for Lebanon.

He also stressed that "the current stage requires resorting, more than ever, to kind rhetoric and always betting on goodwill." 

In the same context, Berri considered that a political solution in Lebanon begins with electing a president for the republic, pointing out that Suleiman Franjieh extended his hand to all parties.

He continued, "We want a president who is able to address the defense strategy and believes in the Taif Agreement," and one who talks with Syria about border demarcation and the refugee crisis since the Europeans and Americans are "indifferent about the matter."

After his meeting with Al-Bukhari, Berri met with the US Ambassador Dorothy Shea.

In the same context, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told reports before meeting with Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi that "Lebanon's spring is near, God willing, with the blessings of Patriarch Al-Rahi."

It is noteworthy that Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced last week that the candidate that Hezbollah supports in the presidential election is former Minister Suleiman Franjieh.