Berri: Dialogue Necessary Not Just for Internal Reasons
Speaker Nabih Berri revealed on Friday that he will once again propose to President Michel Suleiman the resumption of the national dialogue.
He told al-Manar television: “The dialogue is necessary for not just internal reasons, but external ones as well.”
“There can be no real Lebanon without dialogue,” he stressed.
The speaker had told Ad Diyar newspaper in remarks published on Friday that dialogue is necessary throughout the various phases a country goes through, especially during critical times.
Berri emphasized the importance of resuming the dialogue without preconditions “because it will no longer be a dialogue if conditions are set.”
“People are wrong in believing that Hizbullah’s arms will be discussed at the dialogue table,” he told al-Manar.
“The defense strategy that the dialogue addresses is based on the equation of the army, people, and resistance,” he continued.
Addressing the dispute over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the speaker noted: “The matter is related to its constitutional legitimacy and the way it was formed.”
“Lebanon’s democracy allows contentious issues to be subject to a vote at cabinet and they are also free to subject it to a vote at parliament,” Berri stated.
Earlier on Friday, Voice of Lebanon radio reported that the speaker is expected to hold talks with President Suleiman before Eid al-Adha.
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