The same stance in support of a national dialogue was reiterated by the newly appointed Egyptian ambassador, Ahmad Bedyawi, who said on Monday that consensus among the Lebanese is "crucial."

"Egypt is continuing in its initiative ... and is at an equal distance from all parties," Bedyawi told journalists after meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani.

Lahoud paid a visit to Berri on Monday, during which the two discussed the candidate's platform for the presidency and the speaker's initiative.

"We discussed the March 14 response to Berri's initiative, and are hopeful of the meeting between Berri and Sfeir in the upcoming days as that will open the door for reaching a consensus on the presidential issue," Lahoud told reporters after meeting Berri on Monday.

"There is no time for scenarios but for consensus. Otherwise it is democratic competition," said Lahoud.

"There should be consensus, even if not on me," he added.

Italian Ambassador Gabriele Checchia also met with Berri on Monday, and stressed the importance of dialogue, "even if it takes place behind the scenes."

Checchia said he would visit Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and officials from both the March 8 and March 14 camps over the next few days to garner a better understanding of the best possible ways of reaching an agreement on the presidential issue.

" is raising a dust storm to hide the true intentions behind the presidential elections, which is useless," the speaker said in a statement faxed to The Daily Star.

"For the 10th time," said Berri, "the issue of the international court is outside any debate or discussions as it is under control of the UN."

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said events in Lebanon had "entered an important stage."

Mottaki stressed that Iran supports "any solution that would bring the Lebanese together and bring about compromise," in the ongoing political deadlock.

In a related development, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner declared on Monday that a trip to Syria is probable and said: "Why not?"

Ghanem called on politicians not to waste the chance created by the speaker's initiative.

"Berri is not asking for much, but for the two-thirds that is outlined in the Constitution," the MP said. "Dialogue might start on agreement on the two-thirds and eventually lead to dialogue that leads to an actual name," he added.

So far, there are officially three candidates from the majority camp - MP Butros Harb, MP Robert Ghanem, Democratic Renewal Movement leader Nassib Lahoud - and one from the opposition, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

"It is not important to decide on the name of the president, but rather on the vision of the future president and his role national and regionally," Jumblatt argued.

He listed his fears of what the consensus president might do, such as blocking the international court to try suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions .

Jumblatt also said that there is a big difference between an open dialogue and one riddled with conditions.

Berri responded to Jumblatt's statements by saying that he is trying to cover up the intentions of the majority.

The sources also said that a delegation from the ruling March 14 Forces will be visiting Sfeir on Tuesday prior to the meeting of the Council of Maronite Bishops on Wednesday, which was postponed due to Sfeir's trip. Berri and Hariri are also expected to visit Sfeir within the next week.

Meanwhile, in his Progressive Socialist Party's Al-Anbaa newspaper, Jumblatt warned against a consensus president and described Berri's plan as "ill-fated."

"The opposition is seeking to move forward with its goals of a coup through the presidential elections," said Jumblatt.

"They threatened the Lebanese with the 'obituary card" and what it is, really, is surrendering the very foundation of sovereignty, independence and justice," said Jumblatt.

He also warned that a consensus president is the return of "tutelage" to Lebanon, a reference to the period when he and other Lebanese politicians operated under Syrian hegemony.

"It violates democracy ... and could turn Lebanon into a field of clearing of regional and international accounts," he said.