The Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement stressed on Sunday that the away from media spotlight negotiations are serious in an attempt to reach a break through between the two Christian rivals.
Change and Reform bloc lawmaker Ibrahim Kanaan, who is loyal to FPM chief MP Michel Aoun, pointed out in comments published in the Kuwaiti Annahar newspaper that the two parties are “keen to preserve pluralism among Christians, however, we are trying to end a long page of disputes and start a new one based on mutual respect.”
Full StoryProgressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat has expressed pessimism on the ability of rival parties to resolve the presidential deadlock through dialogue and accused Israel of drawing a demarcation line between the Jewish State and Iran.
According to As Safir daily published on Thursday, Jumblat said there was no positive development in the presidential crisis despite the talks between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal representatives.
Full StoryMaronite Bishop Samir Mazloum stressed on Wednesday that Bkirki encourages dialogue between the rival Christian parties, expressing hope that talks among the arch-foes would lead to extensive results.
Mazloum denied in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper that any Christian party is boycotting Bkirki, pointing out that it “isn't standing with any side against another.”
Full StoryRussian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin has said that the election of a new president requires the development of dialogue among the rival Christian parties.
The Lebanese should resolve the presidential deadlock by finding what they have in common, the diplomat told As Safir daily in remarks published on Monday.
Full StoryFree Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun is expected to attend the next meeting between representatives of the movement and the Lebanese Forces, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday.
An LF source told the daily that the meeting is scheduled to take place next week.
Full StoryU.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly advised the Lebanese at the end of his mission to Beirut to remain united and preserve Lebanon.
Plumbly, who will be succeeded by the head of the U.N. mission to rid Syria of chemical weapons, Sigrid Kaag, told An Nahar newspaper that his last words to the Lebanese are “to remain united and preserve this precious country.”
Full StoryHizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has confirmed that his group has had Iranian Fateh-110 missiles that can hit the whole of Israel since 2006, noting that an Israeli spy recently busted in Hizbullah's ranks had “nothing to do with the entire military structure of the resistance.”
The Fateh-110 missiles have a minimum range of 200 kilometers that can hit entire Israel.
Full StoryLebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday said his party's hand is extended for an “honorable” dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement, as he reminded that he is still a “presidential candidate.”
“We did not fight during the war to surrender during peace times. We are people who fight honorably and engage in dialogue honorably,” said Geagea at a Maarab ceremony for handing membership cards to LF members.
Full StoryInterior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq hailed on Wednesday the bilateral talks between the political arch-foes, stressing the necessity of dialogue to safeguard the country.
“Dialogue between (al-Mustaqbal Movement) and Hizbullah is a strategic option,” Mashnouq told reporters after talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun at his residence in Rabieh.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri has said that the closure of the notorious block B of Roumieh prison east of Beirut was the result of the dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal that started last month.
“The operation at Roumieh prison came as a repercussion to the dialogue ... which proved that the state exists,” Berri told his visitors.
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