Top Officials Welcome Berri's Dialogue Initiative

Lebanese leaders have welcomed Speaker Nabih Berri's initiative for dialogue to resolve the presidential crisis and other political problems that are threatening to create chaos in Lebanon.

Sources close to Prime Minister Tammam Salam told al-Joumhouria daily published on Monday that he welcomes any initiative which takes the country out of paralysis.

The sources hoped that all sides would heed Berri's call for talks, as a first step towards solutions to the country's growing crises.

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat also said on Monday that “any initiative for dialogue is welcomed.”

He said he backed Berri's initiative, “particularly at this difficult stage that the country is going through as a result of pressing issues.”

Asked by An Nahar newspaper if he expected the talks, which according to Berri would bring together Salam and the heads of parliamentary blocs, would succeed, Jumblat said: “The most important thing is to start the dialogue.”

The speaker said on Sunday that the agenda will tackle the presidency, the work of the parliament and the government, the electoral law, the law on restoring citizenship for Lebanese expatriates, administrative decentralization, and equipping the army.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri was the first to react.

“We will surely react positively when we receive the invitation. Agreeing on resolving the problem of the presidency would be the proper opening to discuss the other issues,” Hariri tweeted.

He added: “Preserving the government and reactivating the work of parliament are the two pillars of Lebanon’s stability during this period.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 due to sharp political disputes between the rival camps.

Also Sunday, Hizbullah MP Hassan Fadlallah urged all the blocs to react positively to the initiative, saying only dialogue leads to consensus on controversial issues.

He urged them not to lose the opportunity provided to them by Berri.

Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi told As Safir newspaper that the Kataeb Party will announce its stance on Monday.

He said Kataeb leader MP Sami Gemayel recently discussed the issue with Berri.

A high-ranking source from the Lebanese Forces also told An Nahar that the LF will study Berri's proposal. But the source expressed fear that the agenda would prolong the presidential deadlock for having too many items.

“The absolute priority should be the presidential file,” said the source, warning that “previous all-party talks have not led to results.”