Saniora Says Berri's Initiative is Waste of Time, Dialogue Should Discuss Strategic Issues

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora said Monday that an initiative made by Speaker Nabih Berri to resolve the country's political crisis is a waste of time, stressing his rejection to discuss the shape of the government at the all-party talks.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5), Saniora said the political foes should only discuss controversial strategic issues at the national dialogue table.

He said Berri's so-called roadmap is a “waste of time.”

The speaker has called for the resumption of national dialogue at Baabda palace under President Michel Suleiman for a period of at least five consecutive days to discuss the form and policy statement of the future cabinet in the presence of Premier-designate Tammam Salam.

He has also called for the revival of talks on a new electoral law, and supporting the military to deal with arms proliferated in several regions, in addition to addressing a national defense strategy, a reference to Hizbullah's arms.

In additional remarks to As Safir daily, Saniora said that al-Mustaqbal “totally rejected the discussion of the shape of the government at the national dialogue.”

The all-party talks are only aimed at discussing the issue of arms. The dialogue sessions are not constitutional institutions that have certain authorities, he said.

Saniora's comments came a few hours before a delegation from Berri's parliamentary bloc met with him to brief him on the initiative. The Development and Liberation bloc MPs have already met with Suleiman, Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati and Salam.

“Let's not make illusions and speed up the formation of a political cabinet … and leave the national dialogue to discuss complicated strategic issues,” Saniora said.

“We all know that the dialogue participants will not be able to reach an agreement on the controversial issues in five days” as implied by Berri, he told As Safir.

Saniora suggested to separate the discussions on the government and the arms.

“We can take our time in discussing (Hizbullah's) involvement in Syria and the issue of arms at the dialogue table,” he said.