'Positive' Signs from Ain al-Tineh over Possible Mustaqbal-Hizbullah Dialogue

Speaker Nabih Berri is still exerting efforts to launch dialogue between al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah, amid “good intentions” from the two parties and support from centrist leader MP Walid Jumblat.

Berri will maintain “his coordination with MP Walid Jumblat for launching dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement, because that would reflect positively on the general situations,” MPs quoted the speaker as saying after the weekly Wednesday meeting in Ain al-Tineh.

“There are three umbrellas protecting Lebanon: internal unity which we must preserve and enhance; the Lebanese army and its key role in protecting stability and civil peace; and the Resistance and its achievements on the national level,” Berri added, according to his visitors.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is a close aide of Jumblat, visited Berri and announced that the two leaders are “coordinating their efforts with the aim of healing the rift among the Lebanese.”

“Berri and Jumblat are seeking dialogue, which should be a prelude to a comprehensive national understanding. Those who think that dialogue is futile are mistaken,” Abou Faour said.

“Since we can't impact the events inside Syria, let's work on the principle of self-dissociation in Lebanon, and this can only be achieved through dialogue between al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah, which can lead to a breakthrough in Lebanon,” the minister added.

He noted, however, that “dialogue has not started until the moment.”

“What I can confirm is that the intentions are good. (Former) Prime Minister (Saad) Hariri had launched a courageous initiative and (Hizbullah chief) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has extended his hand and this is what we're trying to capitalize on with Speaker Berri,” added Abou Faour.

On October 28, Hariri launched an initiative based on the election of a new president and exerting efforts to prevent Lebanon from being turned into an “arena witnessing destruction similar to that that is ravaging Syria.”

Nasrallah responded positively a few days later, announced that his party is ready to “engage in dialogue” with al-Mustaqbal.

Y.R.

M.T.