Report: Political Crisis to Linger despite Suleiman's Efforts to Hold National Dialogue
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman was adamant in holding further consultations with Lebanon's bickering leaders to ensure their participation in a national dialogue session as a first step towards ending the country's political crisis, sources said Monday.
But the sources told An Nahar daily that Suleiman wasn't very optimistic in his ability to convince the rival parties in reaching a deal that would prevent the country from sliding into further security and political tension.
The president launched a series of consultations with the national dialogue participants to lure back the March 14 opposition coalition to the all-party talks.
But the alliance called for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government and the formation of a neutral salvation cabinet as a prerequisite for attending a new round of talks at Baabda palace.
MP Marwan Hamadeh, a March 14 lawmaker, reiterated in remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) on Monday that a “planned session for Nov. 29 will not be held before the change of the current government.”
The political crisis erupted on Oct. 19 when Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch chief Wissam al-Hasan was assassinated in a car bomb explosion in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district.
Suleiman has yet to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and Tashnag party leaders to take the appropriate decision on setting a new date for the all-party talks.
Suleiman has signaled readiness to discuss the possibility of a government change at the dialogue table.
19 November 2012, 15:33
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The program of the West with its NATO occupations and subservience to Zionist expansionism and the Saudi-Qatar-Muslim Brotherhood salafist onslaught are destroying Lebanon.
The people of Lebanon should understand that it is March 14 that cooperates with this exertion of destabilization and that they, March 14, must accept blame for the consequences of a Lebanon in crisis.
March 14 uses convenient excuses, innuendo and unsettled issues to deprive Lebanon of the governance and stability that is now so needed while Lebanon is surrounded by civil war and the Zionist slaughter of innocents.
So going forward let's be clear that this economic, political and social situation accelerating towards poverty and violence should be laid at the feet of March 14 ...
19 November 2012, 15:52
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I hear you, understood you, take a second to hear me. Iran is funding and giving high grade, powerful missiles to Hezbollah to fight Israel.
Now, your counter argument is... To defend Lebanon. Now they way I see it, and certain news throughout the year, shows that Hezbollah is serving Iran more than Lebanon. This is equally destabilizing Lebanon.
March14 & March8 are destabilizing Lebanon.
19 November 2012, 16:49
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Until Israel commits to peace that allows Palestinians full statehood and recognizes the 1967 borders Lebanon, as well as Jordan, home to so many refugees, will be inherently unstable.
The West and the Gulf States are now destabilizing the Middle East to make way for the ascendance of salafists. We see this in Syria, Jordan and Sidon.
Lebanon must maintain its stability to counter this insurgence of al Qaeda through a stable government. Only through stability both socially and economically will Lebanon avoid violence and poverty.
Clearly March 14 should return to Parliament or resign and use the 1/3 rule to call for new elections. This boycott tactic will be used again and again by both sides and destroy Lebanon.
