Lebanon's political leaders were engaged in intensive contacts on Tuesday in an effort to reach consensus on the new army commander.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in this regard, held talks with Druze leader Walid Jumblat Tuesday evening after he had earlier met with Defense Minister Elias Murr.

Also Tuesday, Murr met with Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Saniora to discuss the issue of appointing directors to key security posts.

The daily As Safir on Wednesday said the appointment of the army command post is likely to be finalized on Wednesday after the names had been pin pointed.

It identified the candidates – all of them brigadier generals -- as Intelligence chief George Khoury, head of the Lebanese-Syrian Coordination committee Marwan Bitar as well as Jean Qahwaji and Charles Shikhani.

Jumblat acknowledged after his meeting with Berri that debate over military appointments "is tense up till now," which he described as an "unhealthy sign."

Jumblat, however, called for "calm and peaceful dialogue" when discussing controversial issues.

He said of his relationship with Hizbullah that he had no "direct contact" with the Shiite group.

He stressed that the issue of Hizbullah arms "can be conducted in a quiet manner."

Jumblat also dismissed news reports that all-party national dialogue could be put off due to a dispute over meeting participation and items on the agenda, insisting leaders were awaiting President Michel Suleiman's invitation.

Meanwhile, head of Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammed Raad, called for drafting of the electoral law before moving on to roundtable talks.