'Said' Hariri in the Israeli media: "Quietly asks UNSC P5 not to vote on Iran sanctions ... while Lebanon presides..."

Taking cues from WINEP, Haaretz, here & Yediot, here

"... Analysts expect Obama to be more encouraging in tone than demanding of results when he meets Hariri, who heads a national unity government that includes Hezbollah .... Another official said Washington would ask Hariri to continue to support efforts "toward comprehensive regional peace." Hariri has also denied Israel's accusations, while his government has said it backs the right of the guerrilla group to keep its weapons to deter Israeli attacks.... Obama and Hariri are also expected to discuss U.S.-led international efforts to isolate Iran ... Diplomats said Beirut had quietly asked the permanent members of the Security Council - Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States - not to push for a vote on a new Iran sanctions resolution while it held the presidency. Lebanon is expected to abstain in any vote because Iranian-backed Hezbollah is in its government, diplomats said.

Jon Alterman, a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Lebanon no longer enjoyed the status it had under the Bush administration ..."

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Saturday lashed out at Israel's defense exercises and said they ran counter to current Middle East peace efforts.

"Israel has to go to the negotiating table in order to achieve peace. To launch military exercises at such a time runs counter to peace efforts, .... How can you launch peace negotiations with the Palestinians while holding military maneuvers?" asked Hariri ..."