U.N. Says Dialogue among Lebanese Parties Necessary for Stability

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly welcomed on Thursday the recent efforts to push for dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement.

Plumbly said following talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh that he agreed with him that “dialogue is necessary for strengthening Lebanon’s security, stability and coexistence and for moving forward on outstanding constitutional steps.”

“I welcomed the recent efforts, including those of Speaker Berri, to push for dialogue between political parties in Lebanon,” he told reporters.

Berri is setting the stage for talks between Hizbullah and al-Mustasqbal to limit sectarian tension mainly linked to the war in neighboring Syria.

The talks are also expected to tackle the presidential deadlock.

Plumbly said he discussed with Berri the ongoing efforts to agree on a new electoral draft-law.

“I expressed the U.N.’s readiness to continue sharing best practices and provide technical support to those organizing the elections,” said the diplomat.

Plumbly voiced the U.N.’s concern over the vacuum at the Baabda Palace “and hoped that the election of a new president would take place without further delay.”

Lebanon has been without a president since May when Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended.

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