Berri Supports Dialogue to Evade Disputes

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Monday that he supports President Michel Suleiman’s announcement that he would re-launch the national dialogue, stressing the importance of all-party talks to “avoid all kinds of problems and disputes.”

“I am ready to participate again in the national dialogue… it plays a major role in calming people down and renders communication (between different parties easy),” Berri told As Safir newspaper.

Concerning the defense strategy, the speaker expressed his belief that it was resolved through the formula of the army, people and resistance mentioned in the policy statement.

Berri stressed that “PM Najib Miqati announced his support to this formula through his visit to the south” on Saturday.

“The formula of the army, people and resistance was adopted by two previous cabinets led by March 14 officials, before it was approved by the new government led by a centrist,” he told the daily.

Meanwhile, An Nahar newspaper quoted the speaker as saying: “today’s ministerial session at the Grand Serail is a starting point.”

Berri noted that the government will exert all efforts to discuss the political and livelihood issues during the cabinet meeting.