Suleiman Abandons Demand to Include Baabda Declaration from Policy Statement
President Michel Suleiman will not “stand as an obstacle” should the committee tasked with devising a government policy statement succeed in its mission, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.
To that end the president has reportedly abandoned his insistence to include the Baabda Declaration in the statement.
In light of the recent contacts that were carried out on Tuesday, Suleiman has changed his position on including the Declaration, but he will voice his reservations on the statement, added the daily.
“His ministers' position on the statement will adhere to past principles that were agreed upon, especially the Baabda Declaration,” reported An Nahar daily on Wednesday.
Sources from the committee meanwhile told As Safir newspaper that Tuesday's discussions “were serious,” predicting that the statement will likely be complete this week.
The committee held its fifth meeting on Tuesday, failing to agree on a statement in light of the ongoing dispute over including the Baabda Declaration.
The March 14 camp is insisting on including it, while the March 8 camp has rejected it.
The March 14 alliance has also been rejecting a reference to the “army-people-resistance” equation.
The committee is expected to convene at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
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