March 14 Holds onto Demands to Resume Dialogue

The March 14-led opposition reiterated on Monday its rejection to resume the national dialogue under the current government and said its participation was conditioned on the discussion of Hizbullah’s arms.

Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea stressed during an interview with L'Orient Le Jour that his allies in the March 14 forces voiced their support to the resumption of the national dialogue.

However, he said that there should be a “serious basis” in this regard amid the latest developments.

Asked about the results of the resumption of the all-party talks, Geagea said that the dialogue is useless as the majority of the cabinet members are linked to the Syrian regime.

“The other team isn’t seeking a serious dialogue,” he told the daily.

Al-Mustaqbal sources told As Safir newspaper that the movement is waiting for President Michel Suleiman to send his invitation for the dialogue in order to determine an official stance regarding this matter.

For his part, LF MP Shant Janjanian pointed out that dialogue is important between the Lebanese foes.

He told Free Lebanon radio that the only controversial item on the agenda of the dialogue would be the arms of Hizbullah.

Janjanian stated that the resignation of the cabinet is the only solution.

MP Michel Pharaon told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that Suleiman’s dialogue initiative is “honorable.”

However, he noted that the March 14 forces “can’t resume dialogue with the presence of the current cabinet.”

On Thursday, the President announced that he would invite the Lebanese foes for the resumption of the all-party talks in June.

Earlier, the March 14 forces, following an emergency meeting at the Center House in downtown Beirut, called for forming a “neutral, salvation government,” revealing that they will submit an initiative to Suleiman that is “aimed at confronting the attempt to ruin Lebanon.”

They said that all arms outside the state should be on the agenda of the dialogue, a reference to Hizbullah’s weapons and other arms spread among the Lebanese.