Riachi Says No Negotiations between LF and Hizbullah

Lebanese Forces Information Minister Melhem Riachi emphasized on Saturday that contacts with Hizbullah are merely limited to the party's ministers and lawmakers, the state-run National News Agency reported.

“We do not negotiate with Hizbullah. There are some contacts limited to Hizbullah ministers and deputies,” said Riachi during a visit to the eastern city of Zahle where LF MP Toni Abi Khater received him at his residence in the presence of a number of LF lawmakers.

“There are a lot of differences between us provided these differences do not turn into major conflicts,” added Riachi.

Early in January, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea dismissed any hostility in ties with Hizbullah, but stressed that dialogue with the party must be based on a clear road-map aimed at building the real state of Lebanon.

Separately, Riachi hailed ongoing efforts to agree on a new electoral law, he said: “There are genuine efforts to formulate an electoral law that rectifies the damaged Christian representation, lifts injustice without being unfair to others, and preserve everyone's right of everyone, including MP Walid Jumblatt."