March 14 Says Any Dialogue Should be Preceded by Election of President

The March 14 alliance rejects to engage in any dialogue with Hizbullah ahead of the election of a new president, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper reported on Sunday.

Sources close to the coalition called on Hizbullah to take positive stances that would encourage all political sides to resume dialogue.

The Baabda Palace has been vacant since the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's term in May. The rival MPs failed to elect a new head of state over their differences on a compromise candidate.

The majority of the March 8 camp's lawmakers have boycotted the sessions over their claim that there should be consensus on a candidate first. But their boycott was a clear sign of their rejection of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's candidacy.

The newspaper also quoted sources close to Hizbullah as saying: "The party rejects to engage in any dialogue with al-Mustaqbal movement on the expense of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun."

The sources noted that Hizbullah will continue to back Aoun as its only presidential candidate, unless the FPM leader decides to withdraw from the presidential race.

The sources added that Hizbullah seeks to kick off dialogue with al-Mustaqbal movement due to the dangers threatening Lebanon and the region and to prevent any possible sedition locally.

Earlier this month, Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the party is ready to engage in dialogue with al-Mustaqbal movement.

“We might have very different viewpoints on the regional affairs and things might reach the extent of rivalry and animosity, but our morals oblige us to take the right and patriotic stance and to thank them and appreciate them despite our differences,” said Nasrallah, expressing willingness to engage in “dialogue” with al-Mustaqbal.