Khalil Says Hizbullah's Hand Extended to Partners, Optimistic over Dialogue
Hizbullah secretary-general's political aide Hussein Khalil stressed on Tuesday that the party has been holding onto its stances for the past three years.
“Our hand is always extended to our partners in the country,” Khalil said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.
He pointed out that the party is holding onto dialogue to resolve the political crises in the country, noting that it rejects any act of boycott.
“We are heading for talks (with al-Mustaqbal Movement) and we have nothing to be ashamed of,” Khalil told the newspaper.
The Hizbullah official said that the party will engage in dialogue to bridge the gap and reach common grounds, and “if reaching solutions fails, then at least we could organize our differences.”
Khalil expressed optimism over the dialogue session's agenda, which includes: easing sectarian tension and the political rhetoric, combating terrorism, activating the state institutions and parliament, and the presidential elections.
“There's no escape. We have to sit down and talk,” he remarked.
Nader Hariri, who is the adviser of al-Mustaqbal movement chief Saad Hariri, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and MP Samir al-Jisr are expected to represent al-Mustaqbal in the talks.
While, Khalil, Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan and MP Hassan Fadlallah will likely be Hizbullah's representatives.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May over differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances.
Al-Mustaqbal is at odds with Hizbullah over its involvement in Syria's civil war. The party has sent its members to fight alongside troops loyal to President Bashar Assad against rebels seeking to topple him.
The movement has also repeatedly called on Hizbullah to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state similar to what the country's militias did at the end of the civil war.
H.K.
G.K.
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