Mustaqbal and Hizbullah Say Dialogue an 'Essential Pillar' despite War of Words
Al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah on Wednesday declared that dialogue is an “essential pillar” for protecting Lebanon, following days of verbal escalation between the two parties.
“The conferees emphasized the seriousness of dialogue, seeing as it is an essential pillar to preserve Lebanon's stability and protect it from what is happening in the region,” the two parties said in a joint statement issued after their eighth dialogue session in Ain al-Tineh.
“They agreed to continue discussions over the scheduled topics with the same impetus and enthusiasm that characterized the first session,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Hizbullah's al-Manar television said the sharp-toned speeches that marred the recent days were expected to be the focus of the session.
“The conferees will also discuss the presidential issue and the fight against terrorism,” al-Manar said.
Dialogue between the two parties had faced the threat of collapse after officials from both sides exchanged tirades.
On Tuesday, al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc vowed to continue dialogue with Hizbullah despite what it described as the party's “threats and provocations.”
“Hizbullah's officials started the political escalation after they openly asked us to choose between (Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel) Aoun as president or vacuum,” Mustaqbal said.
On Sunday, MP Mohammed Raad of Hizbullah wondered if there is a need to engage in dialogue with al-Mustaqbal “while the malicious tongues are insulting the resistance and its project.”
He was referring to the closing statement of the conference held Saturday by the March 14 forces, during which they declared the formation of a National Council.
In the statement, March 14 strongly criticized what they called “the role of Iran and its proxies, topped by Hizbullah,” accusing the party of implicating Lebanon in regional conflicts and of seeking to prolong the presidential vacuum.
After their seventh dialogue session on March 2, Mustaqbal and Hizbullah said they had made "serious progress" regarding the security and political issues in the country.
Dialogue between the two parties had kicked off on December 23, 2014.
In their sixth talks session on February 18, Mustaqbal and Hizbullah said they explored means to find a “national anti-terror strategy,” amid a continued dispute between them over the state's role in such a plan of action.
Y.R.
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