Lebanon back to the dialogue table. However, this time with a hot version of the six years old series, as the conferees' directions seem to be completely the opposite.
Some insist on discussing the resistance arms with an aim to target this weapon and with the a threaten to boycott dialogue.
On the other hand, the other Lebanese side is keen on discussing the national defense strategy with a major goal to preserve Lebanon's strength.
However, between the first and the latter it seems that nothing new will emerge from Baabda Presidential Palace Monday. Nevertheless, hopes remain raised that a magic stick from either President Michel Suleiman or from House Speaker Berri would alter the scene.
Berri, Mikati: No for Failure
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese daily, Berri stressed that "everything is allowed in the dialogue except failure."
He further acknowledged that "each side on the table has the right to propose its ideas or what it thinks of."
For his part, Prime Minister Najib Mikati revealed to the same daily that "he is also optimistic regarding the dialogue."
"All sides has the same desire and there is a possibility to find an opening in the wall," Mikati said.
Raad: Future Presented Nothing on Defense Strategy
Meanwhile, head of the "Loyalty to Resistance" bloc MP Mohammad Raad
confirmed that "the key point in the dialogue is to reach a national defense strategy."
In remarks to "as-Safir", Raad reiterated "Hizbullah, by its Secretary General [His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah], has already presented its point of view during the first dialogue sessions in the Parliament."
"The July war results came to confirm the validity of its [Hizbullah] approach on the basis of the existing coordination and harmony between the Lebanese Army and the resistance in the defense task," he added.
Raad also told "as-Safir" that "Some "March 14" parties presented their papers and suggestions on the matter in the previous dialogue sessions. However, the "Future Movement" has not yet suggested anything despite all their speeches and declarations."
He further wondered "if the Future representatives will present their opinion regarding the national-defense strategy during Monday's national dialogue session."
"We are open for any objective discussions on the national defense strategy that will protect the country against "Israeli" attacks and strengthen its sovereignty," Raad stressed.
"Al-Akhbar" daily reported that "with "March 14" threats to boycott dialogue, Hizbullah will head to Baabda Palace Monday with two ideas in its head: the first is that it is open to discuss the defense strategy that ensures the protection of Lebanon. Secondly, it will not accept using the dialogue table as a means to bring down the government."
Sources close to Hizbullah told the daily that "they believed that "March 14" aims to topple the government under the pretext that Hizbullah refuses to discuss its weapons.
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In parallel, President Suleiman informed "al-Liwaa" daily that "the discussion of the defense strategy is everyone's request even if each side has a different approach."
"We must approach the defense strategy and agreed upon it in preparation to move to the details and discuss them," the President said.
His sources told "as-Safir" newspaper that "he seeks to achieve tangible results during the all-party talks at Baabda palace."
Jumblatt Attacks March 14, Aoun
On the same topic, "National Struggle Front" Leader MP Walid Jumblatt stressed
that "there is no substitute for dialogue to reach common ground."
However, Jumblatt refused "to spin into a vicious cycle because the importance of dialogue is to be productive."
"This means that within the new round of dialogue, it is necessary to start with approaching the major topics, in particular the item related to Palestinian arms outside the camps," Jumblatt said.
In an interview with "as-Safir", the MP highlighted that "it was also agreed upon to approach the weapons inside the cities, and put an end to chaos of arms, because this situation is unbearable."
He further criticized "the exaggerations of "March 14" in face of the government, especially from that perched on the hill (Samir Geagea), who is like Fouad Siniora and the leader of the Catholic World (Michel Aoun) and other "March 14" want to overthrow the government."
"How would they topple it? Do they have an alternative?" he asked
He also assured that "there is no governmental change and the matter needs effectiveness and effort."
Charbel Launches New Security Plan
On another level, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel unveiled that a new security plan will be launched Wednesday from Beirut to the North in an attempt to attain stability after several security incidents in the country.
"The ministry will start during the upcoming days a security month in cooperation with all the competent ministries where the Internal Security Forces will set checkpoints and conduct patrols," Charbel revealed.
In an interview with "an-Nahar" daily, the minister stated that "he will hold a meeting on Monday with the Internal Security Forces leadership and Lebanese Army representatives to coordinate the implementation of the security plan."
Asked about the purpose behind this security plan, Charbel said: "We are at the doorsteps of the month of Ramadan, where many Lebanese expats and Arab tourists would visit Lebanon to spend the month in the country."
"We have to soothe them and provide all citizens with stability," he added.
A security source told "an-Nahar" that "the security plan is firm and cohesive as it gives back the state its respect."
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
