Miqati Appeals for Support of National Dialogue amid March 14 Uncertainty
Premier Najib Miqati hoped on Tuesday that Lebanese political parties from across the political spectrum would approve President Michel Suleiman’s invitation for a National Dialogue next month despite skepticism on the participation of the March 14 opposition coalition.
“We welcome the invitation for dialogue which is our request,” Miqati told As Safir newspaper. “We hope that our meeting on a single table would lead to the positive results that fall in the interest of all Lebanese without any exception.”
“Experiences showed that there is no alternative for dialogue,” he said, hoping that everyone would react positively to Suleiman’s invitation for the all-party talks on June 11, which came without any prior consultation with any of the parties involved.
In his invitation, the president cited the deep worries of the Lebanese on their security and safety and Israel’s continued threats and violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
The talks, which will be held at 11:00 am at Baabda palace, will tackle the arms of Hizbullah and how to benefit from them in a positive way to defend Lebanon, and answering questions such as: why, when, how and where these arms are used?, Suleiman said.
He added that the top Lebanese officials will also discuss ways to disarm Palestinian bases outside the refugee camps and how to remove weapons spread inside and outside cities.
While his invitation has faced a positive reaction from the March 8 forces – mainly Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal movement, Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement – it is not yet clear whether the March 14 forces would participate in the dialogue session.
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, a centrist, has welcomed the invitation and Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel is expected to discuss the issue with Suleiman on Tuesday.
The Phalange, which is part of the opposition, said on Monday that the resumption of the sessions is the gateway to dealing with the causes of the crisis in the country.
A Phalange source told An Nahar daily that despite its support for the all-party talks, the group continues to be in solidarity with the March 14 camp in its request for the formation of a neutral salvation government before any attempt to hold dialogue sessions.
Informed sources said that the opposition leaders are now holding intense consultations to announce a united stance on the president’s invitation, which came one week after March 14 linked its participation in dialogue to the departure of Premier Najib Miqati’s cabinet and the formation of the salvation government to oversee the 2013 parliamentary elections.
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