Suleiman Seeking to Convince Party Leaders to Resume National Dialogue

President Michel Suleiman is exerting efforts to resume the national dialogue between Lebanese foes as he is seeking to convince the parliamentary majority and the opposition to meet, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Thursday.

Sources close to Suleiman told the daily that he is open to all suggestions and has expressed readiness to hold bilateral talks with various Lebanese leaders on the condition that they become the basis for holding the all-party talks.

The sources said that the dialogue table will tackle the defense strategy that would safeguard Lebanon against any Israeli aggression, and Lebanon’s decision to disassociate itself from developments in the region, especially in Syria.

Asked about the arms of Hizbullah, they stated that it would be included in the defense strategy that is expected to set the conditions and the use of those weapons.

The March 14-led opposition insists on limiting the national dialogue table discussions to Hizbullah’s arms, doubting the objectives behind the all-party talks if the weapons article wasn’t on its agenda.