PSP Delegation, Hizbullah Agree on 'Importance' of Dialogue
A Progressive Socialist Party delegation held talks on Wednesday with Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem as part of an initiative to achieve a breakthrough in the lingering political crisis in the country.
“We agreed on the importance of the resumption of dialogue among the political powers to reach common grounds,” Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi told reporters.
He pointed out that the only way to reach consensus is through dialogue.
Aridi noted that the delegation will hold talks with all the Lebanese parties and “will not exclude anyone.”
PSP leader MP Walid Jumblat's initiative focuses on the need for the return of all political powers to dialogue, ending any boycott, and halting the tense media exchanges between the rival factions.
He called on all officials on Monday to abide by the Baabda Declaration - made in June after the first national dialogue in over 18 months - in which rival political leaders pledged to commit themselves to dialogue and political, security and media pacification, avoid speeches that fuel sectarian incitement and bolster stability to prevent Lebanon from sliding into sectarian strife.
The minister stressed that Jumblat's initiative is to express support to “President Michel Suleiman efforts to defuse tension among the rival parties.”
The delegation has previously held talks with Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who welcomed the initiative.
Asked about the president's decision to postpone the all-party talks session that was scheduled to be held on Thursday at the Baabda Palace, Aridi said that “this decision isn't to give time for the parties to take our initiative into consideration but because there's a political alliance that doesn't want to attend.”
Suleiman postponed on Wednesday the national dialogue session to the first week of January.
“All the Lebanese parties don't want to ignite the situation locally despite the surrounding developments in the region,” Aridi said.
He urged officials to safeguard the country from the negative repercussions in the region.
The delegation included in addition to Aridi, ministers Wael Abou Faour, Alaeddine Terro and several other officials in the PSP.
For his part, Qassem said in a statement that Hizbullah agrees on the importance of the resumption of dialogue among the rival parties but “without previously imposed conditions.”
“Our position is clear in that no faction, no matter how great it is, can usurp power or sectarian or political representation in Lebanon,” he explained.
“The only productive and effective solution lies in searching for means that may help reach constructive dialogue, which is the substitute for power vacuum in Lebanon,” he stressed.
“In the end, those banking on the outcome of regional and international developments will realize that dialogue is the solution, but that will only happen after losses, which can be avoided, are incurred,” Qassem remarked.
Earlier PSP Secretary Zafer Nasser told As Safir newspaper that “the delegation is tackling with Lebanese foes the current political crisis and fears of slipping into a dangerous level as a result to the current boycott among officials,”.
Nasser pointed out that the delegation is also seeking to reach consensus with the rival parties over the formation of a new cabinet through dialogue.
According to As Safir, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
The assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan on October 19 deepened the gap between the March 14 and 8 alliances.
The opposition boycotted political activity with its foes after it blamed Miqati's government for covering up the crime, calling on it to step down, and said it would not sit at the same dialogue table with Hizbullah.
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