Kanaan, Riachi Put Final Touches on Document of Agreement

A meeting was held between Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan and Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi to discuss the “final touches” on the “declaration of intent” paper between the two parties, al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The two officials added an 18th article to the document of principles during the meeting, which was held on Tuesday night.

They also tackled the establishment of a roadmap for the second stage of the dialogue and a preliminary discussion regarding the matters that will be included in the talks between the two parties.

FPM chief MP Michel Aoun and LF leader Samir Geagea are both presidential candidates. Their rivalry and other factors have left Baabda Palace vacant sine President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May last year.

Geagea considered last week during a televised interview that “major progress” has been achieved in talks with the FPM, pointing out that he introduced amendments to 16 out of 17 points in the paper before sending it back to Aoun.

The dialogue between the FPM and the LF is expected to be crowned with a meeting between the old-time rivals.

H.K.

G.K.