Hariri Calls Aoun over National Dialogue

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri announced Friday that he has discussed the issue of national dialogue in a phone call with President Michel Aoun.

A statement issued by Hariri’s office said the former premier called Aoun after the presidential palace telephoned the Center House regarding the President’s proposal about holding a national dialogue conference.

Hariri told Aoun that “he will not take part, because any dialogue on this level must take place after the parliamentary elections,” the statement said.

In a speech on December 27, the President had proposed “urgent” national dialogue over “broad administrative and financial decentralization, a defense strategy to protect Lebanon, and a financial and economic recovery plan that would include the necessary reforms and a fair distribution of losses.”