Announcement of Landmark Deal between FPM, LF Near

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun met with Lebanese forces official Melhem Riachi to hand him his comments on the final draft of the "declaration of intent" as dialogue between the Christian rivals is advancing at steady pace.

“We will later on announce new practical steps,” Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan said in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

He stressed that the local and foreign developments compel more harmony and unity among the Lebanese, in particular the Christians.

Friday's meeting between Aoun and Riachi was held in presence of Kanaan.

The FPM chief handed over to Riachi his comments on the “declaration of intent” between the two parties, the daily said, pointing out that he only made slight changes to the draft.

According to An Nahar newspaper, the declaration of the document will be crowned with a meeting between Aoun and LF leader Samir Geagea, saying that the timing and venue of the talks will be decided later on.

Both Geagea and Aoun have announced their candidacies for the presidency. Their rivalry, in addition to other issues, have left Baabda Palace vacant since President Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure ended in May last year.

The dialogue between the two parties recently kicked off in an attempt to defuse tension and safeguard the country.

H.K.

D.A.