By Suzan Haidamous

    BEIRUT, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese political leaders have been carrying intensive contacts to reach consensus regarding the appointment of a new army commander in the country, and the upcoming national dialogue sessions, local Daily Star website reported Wednesday.

    Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met Tuesday night with Druze majority leader MP Walid Jumblatt, after he had earlier met with Defense Minister Elias Murr to discuss the issues of appointing directors to key security positions including army commander.

    The new Lebanese President Michel Suleiman was the army commander until he was elected president on May 25, 2008, and Gen. Shawqi Masri became the acting army commander.

    Following his meeting with Speaker Berri, MP Walid Jumblatt told reporters that the "discussions over military appointments isso far tense."

    "We should restore calm and peaceful dialogue" when it comes to controversial issues," Jumblatt said.

    Meanwhile, acting army commander Gen. Shawqi Masri said Tuesday that the latest terrorist bombing in Tripoli last week which killed 17 people, targeted the military institution, and through it the whole of Lebanon.

    "The army is the guarantee to the safeguard of the nation's unity, " Gen. Masri said addressing staff officers.

    The Lebanese politicians' debates are also covering the issue of the upcoming national dialogue chaired by President Michel Suleiman to discuss the national defense strategy and other crucial issues.

    On this topic, MP Jumblatt dismissed media reports that national dialogue sessions might be delayed as a result of bickering over the number of participants and items on the agenda.

    Meanwhile, the head of Hezbollah parliamentary block MP Mohammed Raad said that national dialogue still awaits action on the third clause of the Doha accord signed on May 21.

    The third phase of the accord is the drafting of a new election law.

    New Parliamentary elections in the country are due in spring 2009.