Naharnet

Riachi Says Dialogue with FPM on Right Track

Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi stressed on Tuesday that dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement is on the right track, pointing out that negotiations are based on fixed principles.

“The meetings will not be folkloric,” Riachi said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

The LF official stressed that the two parties are “seeking to open a new page away from the past differences.”

“We are almost done with the first stage of talks that is paving the way for a meeting between the LF chief (Samir Geagea) and FPM leader (Michel Aoun),” Riachi added.

The official considered the presidential election as “part of the understanding” between the two parties.

The rivalry between Aoun and Geagea has left the Baabda Palace vacant. Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May.

An Nahar newspaper reported that the draft paper of the understanding between the two parties is awaiting for Geagea to review the comments of Aoun.

The LF chief traveled on February 2 on a private visit to Europe.

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