Geagea Says Berri's Dialogue Initiative 'Will Not Lead Anywhere'

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated on Tuesday that Speaker Nabih Berri's proposal to hold national dialogue sessions is “not helpful” and that it will not be beneficial.

"I thank the speaker on coming forward with his initiative although I don't think it will be beneficial,” Geagea said after meeting with a delegation of Berri's Liberation and Development bloc.

He elaborated: “National dialogue is one thing, and talks to form a new cabinet is another and I don't think anyone is opposed to discussing the government's formation in a general parliamentary session.”

"I think Berri's initiative does not lead anywhere and I have sent with the Liberation and Development delegation a proposal to the speaker. I suggested that the delegation reaches common grounds between all factions they are communicating with instead of holding dialogue sessions.”

“Berri is thinking of a way to get out of the current deadlock and we have completely opposing views.”

The LF leader said he opposes a ministerial statement that mentions the army-people-resistance formula, adding that this affects the state's powers and people's freedom.

“The latest incident in (the Bekaa city of) Zahle is an example of this,” he remarked.

Armed Hizbullah members deployed on Sunday along the highway extending between the city's industrial zone to the Mar Charbel church in an attempt to expand party's telecommunications network.

Residents of the city protested against its actions and temporarily blocked the road in the area.

The army soon intervened and set up checkpoints in the industrial zone and security forces deployed patrols in the city, which led to Hizbullah's withdrawal from the area.

"We do not want to support statements that are unclear and that we have no idea where to they would take us,” Geagea explained.

The Christian leader continued: “Dialogue's fate is unclear with a party that keeps repeating its political speech and does not change anything.”

"No party in Lebanon is linked to a regional power, to a fixed ideology and to static strategies.”

“The Lebanese constitution is usually the basis for any dialogue and this is not the case with Hizbullah.”

In a televised speech he gave in the 35th memory of the disappearance of the spiritual leader Moussa al-Sadr, Berri suggested holding a five-day dialogue retreat to discuss pending issues in the country.

“I suggest to Suleiman setting a roadmap that would get the country out of the current crisis and it includes holding a five-day dialogue retreat that would discuss the formation of the cabinet and its policy statement ,” the speaker said on August 31.

But on Wednesday, Berri expressed his “annoyance” over the “misinterpretation” of his dialogue proposal, announcing that he will form a delegation tasked with explaining his initiative to different factions in the country.

Geagea urged premier-designate Tammam Salam to “assume his responsibilities.”

“We are in need to deal with people's problems through forming a cabinet,” he told reporters.

Answering questions regarding Free Patriotic Movement leader's relationship with Hizbullah, Geagea said:

“I do not agree with (MP Michel) Aoun because his party's stance is clear towards some activities Hizbullah is doing but the FPM has a memorandum of understanding with Hizbullah.”