National Dialogue Convenes Thursday without Jumblat, Gemayel, Franjieh, and Aoun

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The National Dialogue is set to resume on Thursday in the absence Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.

Gemayel, Franjieh, and Jumblat are unable to attend because they are traveling abroad, while Aoun announced on Tuesday that the failure to hold Cabinet session on Wednesday and discuss the false witnesses file has prompted him not to participate in the National Dialogue.

The PSP stated that Jumblat had previously informed Suleiman that he will not be able to attend Thursday's session.

Sources close to President Michel Suleiman meanwhile told the daily An Nahar Wednesday that the president is scheduled to tackle the Taif Accord, building state institutions, and implementing administrative reform.

He will call for avoiding getting distracted by disputes as they should be resolved through cooperation and understanding away from conflict, as no faction can eliminate the other.

"We are committed to the National Dialogue's previous decisions, we should implement them, and eliminate all obstacles in their way," Suleiman said.