Suleiman, Hizbullah Rift Threatens Resumption of National Dialogue
President Michel Suleiman is holding on to his call for the political arch-foes to resume the national dialogue despite Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's hints that the party could boycott the session.
Sources close to Suleiman told An Nahar newspaper published on Sunday that the president insists on resuming the all-party talks, pointing out that there is still time to inquire the stances of all parties before taking any decision to postpone it.
“Any decision to postpone the national dialogue session is based on the stances of the parties,” the sources noted.
The newspaper reported that contacts intensified between Baabda and Ain el-Tineh over the matter.
It said that Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam are exerting efforts to deter Hizbullah from boycotting the session.
The rift increased recently between the President and Hizbullah after Suleiman described the people-army-resistance formula as "wooden" during a speech at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in February.
Suleiman's comments had angered Hizbullah, accusing him of not being able to differentiate between “what's golden and what's wooden."
Nasrallah lashed out at Suleiman in a televised speech on Saturday.
He remarked that the president's comments on the equation will be reflected in Hizbullah's stance from participating in the national dialogue sessions, preferring instead to launch talks after the presidential vote.
Informed political sources told An Nahar that Hizbullah's stance blocks the road to any possible breakthrough between the party and Suleiman.
Concerning the stances of the March 14 alliance, sources close to the Lebanese Forces told An Nahar daily that the party decided not to attend the all-party talks.
However, al-Mustaqbal movement sources said that the party will attend.
The presidency issued earlier this month invitations to the concerned political parties to resume the national dialogue on March 31.
The rival political leaders are expected to focus on the state's defense strategy, which will become a roadmap to resolve the remaining point of contentions.
The last dialogue session was held on September 20, 2012.
In August, Speaker Nabih Berri suggested holding a five-day dialogue retreat to discuss pending issues in the country.
Later on Sunday, Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan announced that the party will boycott Monday's National Dialogue session.
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