Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Saturday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

An-Nahar

Mediation takes off after the extension of the STL court's term

Geagea to Nasrallah: What you’re accusing us of is a mere drop in your vast ocean

Amid a severe weather storm that hit Lebanon yesterday, a political storm has intensified, as March 14 continues to respond to the latest speech by Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Suddenly, there were mediation efforts to put an end to the crisis in the government, which was suspended three weeks ago.

Most of those involved deny any link to the government crisis. Meanwhile, the subject of the extension of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has passed silently and calmly, without objection even from Hezbollah. Sources close to the opposition said the mediation between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Free Patriotic leader Michel Aoun took place a day after the passage of the extension in order to help restore order in the shaky government.

Berri is still being cautious with mediation due to the sensitive nature of the issues. Sources said the same thing about Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri after his interview earlier this month.

Berri, who met yesterday with Aoun at Ain al-Tineh, where they discussed the government crisis and the situation in Syria, did not want to elaborate further on what was discussed at the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour.

Meanwhile, Geagea had strong words in response to Nasrallah’s speech in which he said he was open to dialogue without conditions. The Lebanese Forces leader accused him of never adhering to any sort of dialogue. He also defended his past actions, after Nasrallah said he was the last person who should condemn “massacres” in Syria. Geagea said, “It is true that everyone has been accused [of crimes] of war. But that does not constitute a drop in the ocean of what Hezbollah has done during times of war and peace, and he who has a glass house is the last person who should throw stones.”

Al-Akhbar

Looking for solutions to end the government crisis

As usual, the day following a speech by Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah featured a slew of responses by March 14, as officials also worked to solve the government crisis

The meeting between Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and Nabih Berri yesterday appeared to be a sign that serious efforts are underway to address the government crisis, as controversial government files were brought up, including the transport allowance. Sources confirmed that Aoun would support administrative appointments. One source said that what began yesterday at the meeting would mark a new era of cooperation.

But in a radio interview yesterday, MP Robert Ghanem criticized the raising of the issue of transport on the legislative agenda, calling it an abuse of the constitution and a dangerous precedent.

As for responses to Nasrallah’s speech, Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea defended the Syrian opposition.

“Are we the ones involving Lebanon in crises? The ones doing this are the ones wielding power outside the jurisdiction of the Lebanese state,” Geagea said, referring to Hezbollah. “What we [March 14 coalition] are doing is giving a political, ethical opinion.”

Al-Liwaa

Berri to Aoun: sign the decree first... the rest comes later

At the lunch between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, sources confirmed that the two discussed the transport decree. This appeared to be the first step in ending a row between Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati that has brought the government to a standstill. The two also reportedly discussed other civil service appointments.

Berri described the meeting between him and Aoun as “significant,” and as possibly building the foundations to resolve the crisis by solving the transport allowance decree, which has been one of the most contentious issues in the ongoing government stalemate.

As for the oil file, the United States coordinator for Middle East Affairs Frederick Hoff visited Israel after a quick visit to Beirut, where he met with Berri and Mikati and the head of the army, in addition to other officials, who discussed offshore gas fields in the area.

Sources say that Hoff appeared to listen in detail to Lebanon’s position, encouraging the country to reach a solution to issues relating to its maritime borders.

The file will continue to be discussed through diplomatic channels.