Suleiman Hopes Parties Boycotting Monday's All-Party Talks Would Attend Upcoming Sessions
President Michel Suleiman expressed regret on Sunday over the decision by some parties not to attend all-party talks a day before they kick off at the Baabda Palace under his auspices.
“I hope that the parties that decided to boycott the National Dialogue would participate in upcoming sessions,” Suleiman said during the Alphabet Day Conference held in the city of Jbeil.
Hizbullah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah lashed out at Suleiman in a televised speech on Saturday.
He said that the president's comments on the people-army-resistance equation will be reflected in Hizbullah's stance from participating in the national dialogue sessions, preferring instead to launch talks after the presidential vote.
The rift increased recently between the President and Hizbullah after Suleiman described the formula as "wooden" during a speech at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in February.
Suleiman's comments had angered Hizbullah, accusing him of not being able to differentiate between “what's golden and what's wooden."
“Let us continue discussions on the defense strategy to fortify the army's capabilities and put arms under the state's control,” the President said from Jbeil.
He pointed out that “a country that has an army like ours will triumph,” noting that the army should not have any red lines.
Suleiman lauded the Baabda Declaration, saying: “It was adopted by the International community.”
He stressed that clergymen have an important role in the battle against terror, in particular, in spreading awareness against takfiris.
Lebanon has been rocked with violence linked to the Syrian war. It has been particularly on edge since the revolt against Syrian President Bashar Assad kicked off in 2011.
On Saturday evening, three Lebanese soldiers were killed and four others wounded following a suicide attack near a military checkpoint in the area of Wadi Ata in Arsal.
An explosive-rigged vehicle exploded as it drove past a recently erected military checkpoint in the area.
The "Free Sunnis of Baalbek Brigade” claimed the suicide explosion, considering it a retaliation to the killing of fugitive Sami Ahmed al-Atrash.
Lebanon has witnessed car and suicide bombings, rocket attacks and gunfights between pro- and anti-Assad fighters in several cities and towns.
The country has also seen a rise in the wave of kidnappings. Abductors usually ask for ransom.
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