Rival Parties Voice Readiness to Attend All-Party Talks

The political arch-foes expressed readiness to attend the national dialogue sessions that President Michel Suleiman is seeking to revive amid reports that the first all-party talks session will be held on March 31.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Wednesday, Speaker Nabih Berri, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel and al-Mustaqbal movement expressed readiness to attend the sessions despite hesitance by Hizbullah and the Lebanese Forces.

The daily reported that Suleiman will invite the rival parties for an all-party talks as soon as Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet wins the parliamentary vote of confidence.

Om Tuesday, media reports said that the President will invite the political leaders to attend a national dialogue session on March 31, however, the report wasn't confirmed by the Baabda Palace.

Baabda Palace sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Suleiman is seeking to benefit from the positive atmosphere that led to the formation of the cabinet.

The sources said that Suleiman will call the political arch foes for a national dialogue session after he returns from Kuwait, which will be hosting the Arab summit on March 24 and 25.

The rival political leaders are expected to focus on the state's defense strategy, which will become a roadmap to resolve the remaining point of contentions.

The last dialogue session was held on September 20, 2012.

In August, Speaker Nabih Berri suggested holding a five-day dialogue retreat to discuss pending issues in the country.