Mustaqbal and Hizbullah Kickstart Dialogue in Ain al-Tineh, Say Not Seeking 'New Political Alignment'

Al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah held their first, long-awaited meeting in Ain al-Tineh on Tuesday evening under the auspices of Speaker Nabih Berri, in an attempt to devise a “roadmap” and a “mechanism” for the coming dialogue sessions between the two parties.

“The meetings are not aimed at forming a new political alignment in the domestic arena and they are not meant to be against anyone,” said a joint statement issued after the talks.

The two parties also reassured that the dialogue is not aimed at “usurping” anyone's stance or “pressuring any political force regarding the constitutional junctures (presidential vote),” the statement added, noting that the talks would contribute to “helping the Lebanese reach common ground.”

During the meeting, “Berri demonstrated the threats of the current period in Lebanon and the region, which require the highest levels of attentiveness,” said the statement.

Hizbullah and Mustaqbal stressed their keenness and willingness to start “serious and responsible dialogue over the various issues.”

“The parties agreed to continue dilaogue in a positive manner which contributes to alleviating tensions and managing the disputes,” the statement added.

Mustaqbal was represented by Nader Hariri, who is the adviser of Mustaqbal leader Saad Hariri, in addition to Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and MP Samir al-Jisr.

Hizbullah secretary-general's political aide Hussein Khalil, Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan and MP Hassan Fadlallah attended the meeting on behalf of Hizbullah.

Berri, the sponsor of the much-anticipated dialogue, took part in the session alongside his political aide, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

There are five topics on the dialogue's agenda – defusing sectarian tensions and easing the political rhetoric, the anti-terror fight, the presidential vote, activating the work of institutions, and finding a new electoral law.

“The first Ain al-Tineh meeting will be aimed at breaking the ice between al-Mustaqbal and Hizbullah and at devising a roadmap for the coming dialogue sessions,” Hizbullah's al-Manar television reported.

“It is not just a meeting, as it might be the prelude to broader dialogue in the country,” al-Manar added.

“We have two choices -- 'divorce' or dialogue -- and we cannot choose 'divorce',” Mustaqbal sources told the same TV network.

Hizbullah's sources meanwhile stressed the need for “managing the dispute.”

As for Berri, he is supposed to inform the two parties of his stance on the need to “heal the rift” and “preserve the country.”

Dialogue will contribute to “alleviating Sunni-Shiite tensions, electing a new president, and breaking the ice between the two parties,” Future TV, which is affiliated with Mustaqbal, reported.

Al-Jadeed television meanwhile said “both dialogue parties are keen not to announce anything in public about it.”

“Both dialogue parties are insisting on reassuring Christians and Druze that this is not a Sunni-Shiite dialogue but rather a dialogue between two rival political parties whose outcome cannot be imposed on everyone,” al-Jadeed added.

As for LBCI TV, it reported that the first dialogue session was aimed at “devising a roadmap.”

“It is still not known whether the dialogue will be resumed in Ain al-Tineh or any other place but Berri's aide Ali Hassan Khalil will attend all the coming sessions,” it added.

While Mustaqbal was hoping dialogue would lead to an agreement over a “compromise” presidential candidate, Hizbullah's Hussein Khalil has poured cold water on the movement's hope, telling al-Akhbar newspaper that the party is still clinging to its ally Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun in the presidential race.

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.

Y.R.