Saniora: We Reject Dialogue that Tackles Marginal Issues
The head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora stressed on Friday that national dialogue in Lebanon “must be begin with the acceptance of the other,” adding that the bloc agreed to resume the talks out of its desire to reach an agreement over certain issues.
He said during a press conference at his office in Sidon: “We don’t want to take part in a dialogue that tackles marginal cases that have nothing to do with the talks.”
“We do not want to participate in dialogue that will only waste our time and effort and not lead to any results,” he continued.
“We hope that the next session will tackle the only remaining pending issue, which is Hizbullah’s arms,” said the former premier.
Saniora remarked that the next step in the dialogue requires the implementation of its decisions.
The all-party talks resumed their sessions on Monday after a 19-month pause.
The political powers are set to meet again on June 25.
Addressing the Syrian crisis, Saniora voiced his opposition to the formation of a buffer zone in Lebanon, adding his rejection to the smuggling of arms or gunmen to Syria and from Syria to Lebanon.
Moreover, he noted that some sides are seeking to spread the unrest in Syria to Lebanon, particularly the North through portraying it as an area “rife with terrorists and fundamentalists.”
“We are keen on avoiding meddling in Syrian affairs, but we cannot remain indifferent over them,” he stressed.
He renewed his demand for the formation of a neutral government that is not affiliated with the rival March 8 and 14 camps, saying that the national dialogue must reach an agreement on forming such a cabinet.
“Such a government will help ease the tensions in Lebanon and implement the decisions of the all-party talks,” he continued.
The former prime minister had repeatedly demanded the formation of a “salvation government” that can oversee the 2013 parliamentary elections.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/43559 |