The Lebanese foes seeking an accord at a new national dialogue session expressed optimism on Monday as they voiced hope that the all-party talks would have a positive impact on the country, local newspapers reported.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told As Safir newspaper that he will be open to all suggestions during session at the Baabda Palace, noting that the Lebanese leaders should be ready to resolve all the crises Lebanon is suffering from.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati warned on Monday that if bickering leaders continue to hold onto their stances the country’s political and security situation would continue to deteriorate.

In an interview with the Saudi Okaz daily, Miqati said: “We should sit together to come closer and limit the differences between the viewpoints” of different leaders.

The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.

The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”

Berri Stresses Importance of National Dialogue

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that the resumption of the national dialogue would have a positive impact on the country regardless of the outcome.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said Sunday that the party is convinced that Lebanon needs a national defense strategy based on cohesion, the strength of Lebanon and the unity of the army, people and the resistance.

“We should be independent and free and not followers,” Qassem said, calling on the Lebanese to build their future without any foreign intervention.

President Michel Suleiman extended his condolences to the family of veteran journalist Ghassan Tueni on Sunday, saying the “Dean of Journalists” will be missed at the dialogue table.

Suleiman made the remark to the National News Agency after he and first lady Wafaa went to the St. Nicolas Greek Orthodox church to pay their condolences to Tueni’s family and An Nahar daily’s staff.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi hoped in his Sunday sermon for the national dialogue that President Michel Suleiman has called for to be “fruitful.”

Suleiman has invited political leaders from across the political spectrum to attend the dialogue session at Baabda palace on Monday.

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh stated that he understands how Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah would send a representative to the national dialogue on Monday out of security fears, adding however he does not understand how others would want to follow suit, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

He told the newspaper: “If Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea wants to send a representative for security reasons, then we will do the same.”

The head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora stressed on Saturday that the March 14 camp is committed to the memorandum that it handed to President Michel Suleiman on the national dialogue.

He announced in a press conference: “We will approach the dialogue with an open mind and weapons possession in Lebanon should be the only topic of discussion.”

President Michel Suleiman received on Friday a phone call from his French counterpart Francois Hollande, during which they discussed the importance of national dialogue “in maintaining Lebanese domestic stability.”

The two leaders tackled Suleiman’s call for resuming all-party talks on June 11.