Suleiman Awaits Opposition’s Stance on Dialogue as March 14 to Make ‘Salvation Initiative’

President Michel Suleiman was on Wednesday still waiting for the March 14 opposition’s stance on his invitation for the national dialogue, five days before Lebanon’s top officials meet at Baabda palace to resolve the country’s lingering problems.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Suleiman said he hasn’t yet received a final answer from the opposition on its participation in the all-party talks. “But I believe it is not in the interest of any side not to participate in the dialogue or to obstruct it.”

The agreement on the defense strategy, the unity of national security and the country’s neutral role come only through dialogue, the president said.

During a speech he held on the World Environment Day on Tuesday, Suleiman reiterated “the necessity of resorting to dialogue as the only way to agreeing on the integrity of national security.”

As Safir quoted him as saying following his speech that the dialogue will be held at 11:00 am on June 11, hinting that he would not postpone the talks no matter what the opposition’s stance was.

According to An Nahar daily, the March 14 forces would refer a memorandum to Suleiman within 48 hours to suggest a “salvation initiative” which dialogue would be useless without it.

The memorandum, which is currently under discussion by al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora and the remaining members of the March 14 coalition, stresses that the initiative would not succeed without a change in the current cabinet.

The discussion among the opposition officials is also underway at the level of participation particularly that several leaders cannot participate for security reasons.