National Dialogue Back on the Table amid Cabinet Crisis

Lebanese top officials will resume efforts to hold a national dialogue after Premier-designate Tammam Salam informed President Michel Suleiman that there was no progress in the formation of the new government.

An Nahar daily said Tuesday that Suleiman will exert efforts to hold the all-party talks by coordinating with Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati upon his return from a private trip abroad.

But al-Joumhouria newspaper reported that Berri will visit Suleiman at Baabda palace to inform him about the result of the consultations that members of his parliamentary bloc held with the country's leaders and political parties on his latest initiative.

The speaker has called for a five-day dialogue conclave held by the rival March 8 and March 14 camps at Baabda Palace under Suleiman and with the participation of Salam.

His proposal lies in discussing the form and policy statement of the future cabinet, reviving talks on a new electoral law, supporting the military to deal with arms proliferated in several regions, in addition to addressing a national defense strategy, a reference to Hizbullah's arms.

Berri would leave it up to Suleiman to decide what action to take, al-Joumhouria said.

Their move to hold the all-party talks come as the hurdles preventing Salam from coming up with a line-up remain unchanged.

According to al-Joumhouria, Suleiman and Salam agreed during a meeting they held at Baabda palace on Monday to give the formation of the cabinet another week.