Miqati Advises Leaders to Bridge their Differences to Salvage Lebanon

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.

He said President Michel Suleiman called for Monday’s national dialogue at Baabda palace in an attempt to reach consensus among the bickering foes.

“Where would we reach if each (person) continues to hold onto his point of view?” Miqati wondered. “We are aboard a ship so we should seek for the safety of this ship and avoid punctures in it.”

Asked about Palestinian bases outside refugee camps that are on the agenda of the all-party talks, the premier hoped the Palestinian authorities would be responsive to the requests made by the Lebanese leaders.

Stressing that Hizbullah’s arms are aimed at confronting Israel, Miqati told Okaz that the proliferation of weapons in cities and towns and mainly the decision of war and peace will be discussed by the conferees.

Questions on how, why and when to use Hizbullah’s arsenal are legitimate, he said. “Let’s wait and see where the different Lebanese parties would reach” in that.

Seventeen leaders will gather at Baabda palace on Monday to discuss the national defense strategy, Palestinian bases outside the refugee camps and the proliferation of arms in Lebanese cities and towns.

The March 14 opposition delivered Suleiman a memo on Saturday reiterating its call for the formation of a national salvation cabinet to oversee the all-party talks and the parliamentary elections of 2013.

“If we agree at the dialogue (table) to build a true state and the formation of a new government to facilitate the process, then I don’t think anyone would fail to change the cabinet,” Miqati said.

“But the change to the unknown is rejected nowadays,” he added.