Hollande Contacts Suleiman, Calls for Resumption of National Dialogue

French President Francois Hollande urged President Michel Suleiman to resume the all-party talks amid the lingering crises in Lebanon.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Tuesday, Hollande stressed during a telephone conversation with Suleiman on the importance of resuming the national dialogue in order to carry out the presidential elections.

The last dialogue session was held on September 20.

In September, Suleiman said that he would challenge the extension of his mandate if the parliament took such a move amid soaring political tensions and the failure to form a new government.

He added: “The constitution is clear that a government should assume its constitutional responsibilities and prepare for the presidential elections as soon as possible.”

His term ends in May 2014.

Meanwhile, French diplomatic sources said in comments published in As Safir newspaper that Suleiman will head to Paris at the end of the weekend.

However, Baabda Palace sources denied the matter, pointing out that “the President has no scheduled visits to any foreign country.”