Aoun Meets Berri, Hariri after 'Positive, Constructive' Consultations with Political Parties
President Michel Aoun met with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri Monday in Baabda to brief them on bilateral consultations he held earlier in the day with the country's political parties.
Berri and Hariri left the Baabda Palace without making a statement after the two-hour meeting.
The speaker however told reporters to be optimistic as a smiling Hariri took a selfie with the journalists. “Can't you see my smile?” said Hariri when asked about his stance after the consultations.
The premier's Future TV meanwhile reported that Hariri “expressed satisfaction over today's consultations at the Baabda Palace.”
A statement issued by the Presidency said Monday's consultations were aimed at “reaching common denominators that preserve Lebanon's interest.”
“President Aoun lauded the responsiveness he met from the heads and representatives of the parliamentary blocs, who stressed the need to safeguard national unity, security and political stability, and to resolve any obstacles impeding the rise of the state,” the statement said.
The consultations were "positive and constructive and the participants agreed on the main points that were discussed," the statement added.
"The outcome of the consultations will be discussed in state institutions after President Aoun returns from Italy," the statement said.
Baabda sources had said that Aoun's consultations with the political parties tackled “the security situation, the dissociation policy, ties with Arab states, the Taef Accord and the government's situation.”
“President Aoun will request clear answers on this issues. This also includes the stance on the Israeli threats, including the defense strategy,” the sources added.
Hariri had announced Saturday that “there is seriousness in the ongoing contacts and dialogues” and that the other parties seem to be inclined to accept his proposals.
The premier has called for dissociating Lebanon from the regional conflicts through ending Hizbullah’s involvement in them.
Hariri had caused widespread perplexity on November 4 when he resigned during a TV broadcast from Saudi Arabia, citing assassination threats and blasting the policies of Iran and Hizbullah in Lebanon and the region.
After a puzzling mini-odyssey that took him to France, Egypt and Cyprus, Hariri arrived back in Lebanon on Tuesday and then announced that he was putting his decision to quit on hold ahead of negotiations.
Many questions remain unanswered following the unprecedented scenario that saw Lebanon's prime minister resign in a foreign country suspected of keeping him under house arrest and return only after the apparent intervention of France.
But while Hariri and his backers seemed on a collision course with Hizbullah only a few days ago, an apparent behind-the-scenes deal now appears to be restoring the status quo.
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