Tourism Minister Michel Pharaoun said Sunday that the national dialogue in Lebanon between political rivals was nothing more than a "sedative" to ease the pain caused by the presidential vacuum.

Pharaoun, a member of the March 14 alliance, expressed regret that the presidential issue was not discussed by rival leaders in the last dialogue session held Wednesday.

While Frangieh is backed by his political rival Hariri for the presidency, Frangieh's long-time ally [Change and Reform bloc leader] Michel Aoun is backed by his war-time foe [Lebanese Forces head] Samir Geagea, who is Hariri's ally.

Rivals had then agreed to elect Sleiman as president and form a national unity Cabinet run by Hariri.

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