Prominent Figures to Head to Saudi Arabia for Talks with Hariri

Prominent political figures are expected to head in the upcoming hours to Saudi Arabia to discuss with al-Msutaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri the latest local and regional developments.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Saturday, the talks come in light of the presidential standstill and the efforts exerted to open communication channels between al-Mustaqbal and Hizbullah,

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended over differences among the parliamentary blocs on a compromise head of state.

Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, who is affiliated to al-Mustaqbal, will head the delegation to meet with Hariri.

The newspaper said that the talks will focus on al-Mustaqbal's dialogue with Hizbullah.

Concerning a Saudi request made to the United Nations Security Council to add Hizbullah to its sanctions list and and whether it could affect the dialogue, sources close to al-Mustaqbal said that the Saudi “stance doesn't concern them.”

The sources denied that the “visit is to inform Mustaqbal officials that contacts with Hizbullah should be cut.”

Al-Akhbar quoted sources close to Hariri that “al-Mustaqbal separates between the Saudi stance and the dialogue” with Hizbullah.

“We are convinced that Lebanon should be dissociated from all regional developments.”

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that he is exerting efforts to kick off dialogue between the two rival parties.

The speaker's visitors quoted him as saying in comments to the An Nahar that the dialogue will “not be delayed.”

Berri considered that Hariri and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah are “serious” in their efforts to bridge the gap between them.

On Firday, Berri, who is the head of the AMAL Movement, denied in comments to local newspapers that preconditions were set for a dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal.

Berri is coordinating his initiative with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, who is a centrist.

On October 28, Hariri launched an initiative based on the election of a new president and exerting efforts to prevent Lebanon from being turned into an “arena witnessing destruction similar to that that is ravaging Syria.”

Nasrallah responded positively a few days later, announcing that his party is ready to “engage in dialogue” with al-Mustaqbal.