Rival Leaders: Rise in Terrorist Threats Require Defense Strategy Based on Suleiman's Vision
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman chaired on Monday a national dialogue session that stressed the importance of an agreement on a defense strategy given a rise in terrorist threats and amid a boycott by the majority of March 8 camp's representatives and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea from the March 14 alliance.
Suleiman had invited the rival leaders for a new session of all-party talks at Baabda Palace to discuss the controversial issue of Hizbullah’s arsenal or the so-called national defense strategy.
But Hizbullah representatives, Marada movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh, Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan, and MP Asaad Hardan, the head of the Syrian Social National Party announced the boycott.
Geagea, whose party had boycotted previous dialogue sessions, also did not attend Monday’s talks.
A statement issued after the session said the conferees agreed to discuss the national defense strategy based on the vision proposed by Suleiman during a previous session.
It said the continued Israeli threats, the Jewish state's procrastination in fully implementing U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, a rise in terrorist threats, and arms proliferation required an agreement on the defense strategy.
The rival leaders also welcomed the formation of the all-embracing national interest cabinet of Premier Tammam Salam, who took part in the dialogue session for the first time, and stressed the importance of its success in resolving the problems that the country is facing and in preparing for the presidential elections.
At the start of the talks, Suleiman warned against the dangers of a rise in the number of Syrian refugees and an increase in terrorist activities.
He also referred to the challenges resulting from non-abidance to the decisions reached at previous dialogue sessions and mainly the Baabda Declaration that was announced by the rival leaders in 2012.
It stated an agreement to distance Lebanon from the regional turmoil.
Monday's closing statement stressed the importance of consolidating dialogue and hoped the leaders who boycotted the session would attend the next meeting on May 5.
Among the leaders who attended the talks are Speaker Nabih Berri, Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun, al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora, National Struggle Front chief MP Walid Jumblat and Amin Gemayel, who is the leader of Kataeb.
The participants of the talks did not make statements to reporters at Baabda Palace.
But Jumblat has told As Safir daily that “the boycott of the dialogue does not have an effect because dialogue will be open-ended.”
“Boycott is not beneficial because foreign and local interference is threatening Lebanon,” he said, adding “it would be better to confront them with dialogue among the (different) parties.”
As Safir quoted a Baabda Palace official as saying that Suleiman, who had vowed to start his tenure with dialogue, has insisted on ending it with dialogue as well.
The meetings between the different party leaders should remain alive despite the crises in the region, the official, who was not identified, said.
G.K.
M.T.
31 March 2014, 10:36
93
There was nothing to be accomplished and much that could have gone very wrong ... The new "security plan" is ready to be deployed ... finally after almost three years of political cover.
The risk was rehashing old disagreements and reopening old wounds after just getting a new government selected. The agenda going forward must be the presidential elections and then the parliamentary elections.
Suleiman couldn't have picked a worse time for a national dialog nor could he have picked more inflammatory words than talk of a "wooden" resistance. Suleiman is and has been an albatross around Lebanon's neck.
31 March 2014, 11:10
411
The terror party understands the language of violence, murder, deceit, and lies. Dialogue concerning the terror party's outlaw existence and with who if they refuse to attend.
31 March 2014, 11:25
114
If by "terror party" you mean HA then you couldn't be more wrong. The HA has fully cooperated with the LAF and Internal Security to stamp out violence and terror inside Lebanon.
It has been M14 namely Hariri, Mikati and Rifi that have supported violence and terror through money, information and political cover to the Takfiris and mafia groups in Tripoli, Sidon and Arsal to line their pockets.
31 March 2014, 12:00
77
'Flamethrower..... 7 hours ago 88
cedre "not apologist, just giving a cause-effect explanation..."
you're a liar and everybody read how you qualified a recent suicide bomber as a 'batal'.'
give us the link or admit u're a pathetic liar...
31 March 2014, 12:04
68
I await the day when I will read ONE meaningful post, ONE counter argument, ONE credible or mature info from you, Flamethrower..... , but alas!
31 March 2014, 12:12
67
popeye, you should change that to "I await the year"… then Flimflam migth have a shot.
31 March 2014, 12:12
55
hey g_p; did you hear about flemthrower's all nighter project he was working on last night. He was so busy he only posted 53 posts)))))
31 March 2014, 13:14
57
Full-of-it, stop whining about the votes when your thumbing brigade reports to work you will 20 thumbs instantaneously. Why is it that you and the rest of the M8 cheerleaders are always whining about Naharnet? if you do like it go someplace ells.
31 March 2014, 19:37
21
Your support for racism (the Taef "Accord" whereby the Christian minority gets half the seats in Parliament) dishonors the great American cartoon hero. If Shiites are more than half the population, it's not much of a stretch to regard Hezbullah as the legitimate government. Who else are they going to vote for?
31 March 2014, 12:13
54
oh! how surprising that hezbis and their lackeys boycott! unless the dialogue is not a hezbi monologue of course they will never attend! they do not want dialogue but just to impose their strategy not the lebanese strategy as loyal servants to the iranian revolution they are! with the full support of all antilebanese M8ers....
31 March 2014, 14:46
34
sure because they have the courage to say NO to hezbis one way demands....
31 March 2014, 12:40
56
Ridiculous for a President whose term is set to expire in less than 8 weeks to embark on such an ambitious 'reconciliation'. he had 6 years to do so. This task must be left for the new president.
31 March 2014, 14:00
31
mckinl
in all fairness I doubt that sleimane could have done anything or I doubt that any president could. He is facing 2 political entities pretty much in equal numbers (m8 & m14) that are ideologically so far apart that coupled with a presidency that had its power severely restricted. This combo is a recipe for disaster.
Also new MP's elections will not matter as I am convinced the same MP's will be re elected since these guys are glued to their seats and said seats are passed on from father to son....
31 March 2014, 12:59
34
I'm not sure that it would make such a huge difference to be honest and I'm sure that it's not their main source of income. The stealing and the businesses built by what they have stolen probably is.
Look what happened in the UK when the MPs were wrongly claiming expenses. Many had to resign and some are being prosecuted and we're only talking about a few thousand pounds here not millions. Bloody shameful.
31 March 2014, 13:54
33
speakfreely
not only cut their wages but establish control measures to prevent them from emptying the state coffers. their salaries are pale as compared to the non salary cash they pocket
31 March 2014, 14:43
21
Hummmmm
With due respect heavens forbid if he becomes president. In my opinion he certainly is not presidential and will plunge the country farther down in the abyss. As of now I think he has no chance to become president as he needs the Christian vote for that and he simply does not have it
31 March 2014, 14:47
01
I also happen to think that none of these 4 so called candidates deserve to be president. They are all corrupt with a dark history and blood on their hands
31 March 2014, 14:49
21
i d like to understand what is wrong in the president's demands:
-distance Lebanon from the regional turmoil.
- demand that hezbi weapons be placed under state authority...
M8ers whine like desperate virgins against these basic patriotic demands...
it only proves that M8 are against anything called the state of lebanon....
31 March 2014, 14:54
10
peace
nothing is wrong with his demands. they are totally justifiable and I agree with him
the point is he does not have the constitutional power to enact any legislation or law to effectively see good results.
the same goes to any one who will replace him. he will be lame duck unless power is restored to the presidency
31 March 2014, 15:19
01
HA is the proxy for Iran the latter will not accept assad;s defeat will prop it up via HA
31 March 2014, 16:35
22
sure mooowaten, when you pledge allegiance it means TOTAL obedience... didn't know that? LOL
31 March 2014, 15:46
24
Full-Disclothed lighten up dude why so angry, lighten up get some friends together, I suggest the-roar, mckinl, mazen, southern, FT, wolf etc, go to hajj Hassan's auto shop and hair salon in Bridal get a "refreshments" laden stolen Kia minivan from him and take it down to Dahieh for a nice Nasralah style refreshing last ride as the "Sayed of the Resistance" himself prescribes in this clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knAA-glMEEM
31 March 2014, 15:54
10
mowaten
its a fact of life
the Lebanese forces owed their strength back then to Israel so they followed orders
now HA owes its strength to Iran so it follows iran's order
nothing if free in this world specially in politics
31 March 2014, 16:03
42
@ the_roar
"You will only achieve a strong President, if he represents the people."
You will only achieve a strong president if he represents ALL of the people ... All Sects ...
31 March 2014, 16:11
10
mowaten
to be honest with you I do not know nor did I know that Sharon's plan was a Christian state. I am Christian and certainly do not support a Christian state. Lebanon's strength and beauty is its diversity, its tolerant society and co existence which I strongly support
31 March 2014, 16:39
52
FD, I regret to say that partition looks more and more of a reality, now I believe that a federal system will be best course for Lebanon. The divide is so profound now that I doubt that to live in the same system will word. Let's federate and partition.
31 March 2014, 16:40
10
FD
I am a 100% opposed to partition I do hope we will not end up like Yougoslavia. As I said earlier Partition would mean the end of Lebanon
For me Lebanon's beauty is its diversity, co existence
31 March 2014, 22:53
11
Bani Maarouf, why do you keep talking to yourself? Here I am, just back from a great trip to some African countries, made good money, had a smashing time, yet return to Lebanon to find you still seriously constipated. I worry that your cure will be a rarity given your constant lack of intelligence, but its congenital you see. Imitating FD's alias is not an intelligent thing either, you should be ashamed of yourself little boy.
31 March 2014, 16:36
51
It's an unfathomable shame, that for sake of personal and party gains, some sides still dismiss the importance of having a national and innified conscensus on national security. Now with the country submerged to the brim with refugees, and what's even worse, they're moving around freely all over the country unhindered, taking our jobs and businesses. If not for the terrorist threat alone, the growing resentment over their presence will one days soon create a massive backlash that will pit Lebanese citizens to our guests. It's just a question of time when a single spark will light up the powder keg. Of course, there remain people who either don't wish to realize this growing danger or are simply blinded by blind greed.
31 March 2014, 22:48
12
Lack of any intelligence ya Bani Maarouf, respect starts at home and it's a pity that you have none whatsoever.
31 March 2014, 23:04
12
Fake FD, or better known as Bani Maarouf, 3ayb 3aleyk, at least have some intelligence, you post as bani Maarouf, then almost immediately as the Fake FD. Either you're well past any cure, or in truth you refuse to grow. But you're shameful doing this.
31 March 2014, 16:59
21
FD
I asked you the question on the EDL article but was deleted
how sad
31 March 2014, 17:51
21
sorry FD
just read your comment
here is my question
coolmec 34 minutes ago 20
well before I arrived in Beirut I saw a video about a restaurant in dahie
the décor was the old Beirut destroyed from the civil war it is a hamburger joint they sell burgerswith weapons theme like klachinkov burger, beretta hot dog etccc
any one knows where is this place? would love to go there have a burger just curious to see this joint
Reply
31 March 2014, 17:53
00
The administrator of Nahar net, should limit the intervention of one person to one comments and avoid all insults
Otherwise the quality of Naharnet becomes trash
31 March 2014, 18:22
11
it closed? damn I missed it I sooo wanted to check it out it certainly was different than any other restaurants
31 March 2014, 18:37
22
HA doing what it does best, obstruction. It's funny how some people will severely criticize people like Geagea if they boycott anything, but if HA does it, it's justifiable..
Both HA and Geagea (and everyone else) should attend the national dialogue sessions, if they care at all about their country.
31 March 2014, 18:55
12
"The General is the only Christian leader who truly represents his people"… Mr Snore, the pajama general represents Assad and Nasrallah.
31 March 2014, 22:58
20
No no no ya Roar, if God forbid Aoun was to become president, then bye bye Lubnen, he will sell its last vestiges of Christianity and of Lebanese patriotism. For once brother, let us agree that the likes of Aoun, Geagea, Amin etc... will harm Lebanon more than help it. Take a good look at Walid Jumblat, he is the very mirror of those old Dinos ------------->>> (this one is for you ya Bani Maarouf now faking FD)). Back to you Roar, how about Demianos Kettar, should he not be the one for next president?
