Suleiman Hopes Miqati's Resignation Would Lead to 'Positive Shock'

President Michel Suleiman revealed on Monday that the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati's cabinet could lead to a “positive shock” that would push towards the return to the national dialogue table.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Suleiman said: “There is no fear over vacuum. Politicians in Lebanon are neither enemies nor Zionists. We are a single people and there is only one parliament and we can resolve our problems through dialogue.”

“Miqati's resignation could create a positive shock that could push the situation to the better and to the resumption of dialogue by all sides,” he said.

Suleiman told the newspaper that he would work for holding a national dialogue session at Baabda palace upon his return from Doha, where the Arab League is to hold a summit on Tuesday.

He traveled to the Qatari capital at noon Monday.

Asked if he thought the formation of a new cabinet would be an easy process, Suleiman said: “It wouldn't be difficult to do so if there is goodwill.”

“We will exert all efforts and we hope that everyone would cooperate for the sake of Lebanon and the Lebanese,” he added.

Baabda sources also told An Nahar daily that the president will not invite for the all-party talks at the presidential palace before naming a new prime minister to form the government.

But reports said that Suleiman's consultations with the parliamentary blocs to name a new PM would not start before the end of the month.

The Baabda sources said the dialogue will focus on the new cabinet, the vote draft-law, the electoral process and could lead to a Baabda Declaration 2.

In his remarks to As Safir, Suleiman said he will ask Arab leaders at the Doha summit for help in resolving the case of the Lebanese pilgrims who were abducted by Syrian rebels in Aleppo province last May while they were on their way back home by land from Iran.

The president will also discuss with the Arab officials the burden of Syrian and Palestinian refugees on Lebanon and study ways they can contribute to resolving the problem, he said.