PSP Delegation, Gemayel Agree on Importance of Resolving Political Crisis

A Progressive Socialist Party delegation held talks on Monday with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel to propose to him an initiative by MP Walid Jumblat to end the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon.

“We have no choice but to discuss the matter with our foes,” Gemayel told reporters after the meeting at the party headquarters in Saifi.

He urged officials to reach “practical results” to safeguard the country.

Gemayel pointed out that there should be no political boycott as all parties should safeguard the constitutional institutions.

“We have agreed on the importance of resuming contacts to achieve the goals that the Phalange party and the PSP agreed on,” he said.

The Phalange leader stated that Jumblat's initiative includes several common points, in particular, disassociating Lebanon from the developments in Syria and resolving the social and economy issues.

The PSP team has been holding talks with major political figures to propose to them Jumblat's initiative to resolve the country's political crisis.

The assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan on October 19 deepened the gap between the March 14 and 8 alliances.

The opposition boycotted political activity with its foes after it blamed Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government for covering up the crime, calling on it to step down, and said it would not sit at the same dialogue table with Hizbullah.

For his Part, Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi al-Aridi said following the meeting in Saifi that the rival Lebanese parties should communicate and resume dialogue to safeguard the country.

The officials “that we have met so far reacted positively with our initiative,” al-Aridi told reporters.

He stressed that politicians must reach common grounds to end the political crisis, reiterating that the delegation will meet with all party leaders in the country.

“We need to defuse the tension and halt the strong sectarian rhetoric,” al-Aridi said.

He noted that dialogue should resume under the auspices of President Michel Suleiman, saying “We have passed through more difficult situations but we were able to safeguard the country.”

The delegation has so far met with Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, Miqati, Hizbullah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem and Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun to suggest a return to dialogue and an end to involvement in the Syrian crisis.