Differences Emerge between Palange Party, Mustaqbal over Boycotting National Dialogue
Differences emerged to the surface on Thursday among the parties affiliated in the March 14 opposition as the leadership of the Phalange party insists that boycotting the national dialogue table will lead to a deadlock in the country, local newspapers reported.
According to An Nahar newspaper, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel backs the efforts exerted by President Michel Suleiman to push forward the date of the all-party talks, which is expected to resume on November 12.
However, al-Mustaqbal party is holding on to its stance to boycott the national dialogue and all the official activity until the current cabinet led by premier Najib Miqati steps down.
The sharp differences appeared on Tuesday night during a meeting held at the residency of Gemayel in Bekfaya.
The daily said that head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora, MP Ahmed Fatfat, MP Sami Gemayel and ex-PM Saad Hariri's adviser Mohammed Shatah attended the meeting.
Suleiman has been carrying out consultations with rival political parties after the assassination Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan last week.
However, his efforts have reached a standstill as several parties at the opposition decided to boycott any official activity and discussions with the March 8 forces until the cabinet resigns.
Al-Mustaqbal movement sources told As Safir newspaper that preparations are ongoing to escalate their measures to press forward the resignation of the government.
The sources noted that the March 14 alliance will use all the “possible legal means in its battle.”
Sources close to the March 14 camp told An Nahar that coordination among its members is ongoing to find consensus over the issue.
As Safir newspaper reported that a meeting will be held between Phalange Party and Lebanese Forces representative to further discuss the matter.
Friday's bombing has raised fears about unrest in the country, which is divided between supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose country supervised its small neighbor for nearly 30 years.
The March 14 youth groups had erected tents near the Grand Serail on Sunday, demanding Miqati to resign after clashes broke out between mourners, mainly March 14 supporters, and the security forces near the premier's office after the funeral of Hasan.
Police fired in the air and used tear gas to drive back protesters who tried to storm the premier's office.
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