Suleiman's Defense Strategy Blueprint Hinges on Attendance of Major Leaders

President Michel Suleiman is adamant to propose his vision on the country's defense strategy during a national dialogue session scheduled to be held at Baabda Palace on Thursday, Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury, who is close to the head of state, said.

However, al-Khoury told al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday that the discussion of the strategy depends on the presence of all members of the all-party talks.

He hinted that if any political leader is absent, then Suleiman would not present his plan for the strategy.

The last session on August 16 was postponed over the absence of several members, mainly, Speaker Nabih Berri.

There were no signs on Wednesday that the March 14 opposition alliance would boycott the session as it did on July 24 after it tied its participation to a government decision to provide security agencies with the so-called telecom data to help them investigate assassination attempts against MP Butros Harb and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea.

The data has since been handed over to the security apparatuses.

The boycott also came after Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad announced that the national defense strategy is currently not necessary because Lebanon is still in the liberation stage.

But Minister Alaeddine Terro told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that he couldn't yet make a final announcement on whether Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, a centrist, would participate in Thursday's session.

Hizbullah should be convinced that its weapons should become part of the Lebanese army's arsenal, Terro, who is loyal to Jumblat, said.

The national dialogue resumed in June after a 19-month absence.