Suleiman Says Dialogue Leaders agreed to Disassociate Lebanon from Syria Turmoil

President Michel Suleiman expressed contentment on Wednesday on the “positive” outcome of the resumption of the national dialogue between Lebanese leaders.

“We are seeking consensus between us… It’s normal to have different opinions concerning the results of the first session,” Suleiman said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.

He pointed out that the gatherers agreed to disassociate Lebanon from the international and regional conflicts, which entitled the cabinet to openly take a stance on the turmoil in the neighboring country Syria.

On Monday, Lebanese foes resumed the national dialogue at the Baabda Palace under the sponsorship of the president to maintain stability in the country.

“Our stance is to remain neutral regarding the crisis (in Syria) and this includes being neutral in dealing with all the axes,” Suleiman told the daily.

Asked if the March 14-led opposition was forces to adopt the final statement of the all-party talks, the president said that if there were any objections we would halt the decision.

“If one party insisted on rejecting the final statement, we wouldn’t have issued it,” he pointed out.

On the recent security incidents in the country, Suleiman said politicians are developing a security plan to safeguard the country.

“Politicians are the ones that protect the civil peace, while the army and security forces are tasked to maintain security,” he noted.

Concerning the controversial arms of Hizbullah, Suleiman said that the dialogue table will tackle the defense strategy and the weapons of the resistance, the Palestinian arms and the arms spread across the country.

He said that the state should benefit “positively” from the arms of Hizbullah as the all-party talks will decide when and where to use the party’s arsenal. “It’s in Hizbullah’s best interest to discuss its arms.”

However, he said that controlling the arms spreading across the cities isn’t easy.

On the Crisis in Syria, Suleiman said he fears that the situation in the neighboring country might spill over into Lebanon.

“I hope that the Syrians would agree and find consensus among each other,” he told the daily and urged the Syrian regime and the opposition to engage in dialogue in order to reach democracy.