Jumblatt left dilaogue session due to hunger and sleep

MP Walid Jumblatt , leader of the Democratic gathering bloc said that he left Tuesday’s dialogue session at Baabda palace earlier because he got “sleepy and hungry.”

Jumblatt told al-Akhbar newspaper that he did not make any statement during the dialogue talks , however, he stressed to the newspaper on the importance of continuing the dialogue “because there are differences in points of view.” (more…)

Pakradounian: The resistance clause was debated in a calm atmosphere

MP Hagop Pakradounian during an interview with OTV on Wednesday , denied reports of a heated debate during the national dialogue session over a clause that Lebanon has the right to defend itself through its army, people and Resistance
The Change and Reform MP said the phrase was a discussed in a calm atmosphere, (more…)

Gemayel: keep Lebanon out of the ‘game of axes’

A meeting was held Monday on the eve of the national Dialogue talks between Prime Minister Saad Hariri, former PM Fouad Saniora, Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea . (more…)

Dialoge talks end & will resume in mid April |pictures|

Lebanon’s rival political groups have resumed national reconciliation talks and the defense strategy was the main topic on the agenda.

Analysis: Dialogue, Contempt and Death

I’m sometimes haunted by weird thoughts, rash feelings, and a hasty desire to celebrate. It is as if I hadn’t become more knowledgeable or learned my lessons.

Suleiman sets March 9 as kick off date for national dialogue

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman set Tuesday, March 9 as the resumption date of the national dialogue at the Presidential Palace in Baabda.
Suleiman said dialogue would focus on the national defense strategy but other items could be added to the agenda provided dialogue members agreed. (more…)

Hezbollah opposed to any discussion on disarmament

Hezbollah MP Nawaf al-Moussawi told NBN TV in reference to the upcoming National Dialogue talks : Those who come to the dialogue table to discuss the disarmament of Hezbollah are just dreaming and will be coming to the wrong table.

Suleiman faces strong opposition over dialogue committee issues

Lebanese president Michel Suleiman announced the list of participants in the new national dialogue talks yesterday , but immediately the list was challenged by both rival camps , March 14 and March 8.

Here are the key concerns:
Zahle representative: Suleiman picked Professor Fayez al-Hajj Chahine as Zahle’s representative , but “Zahle in the Heart” , the parliamentary bloc that won the elections last June issued a statement in which it condemned Suleiman’s decision. It urged the President to reconsider his decision by appointing someone from Zahle in the Heart. (more…)

List of participants in national dialogue meetings

The presidential press office issued a statement on Sunday, stating that President Michel Suleiman has finalized the formation of the committee for national dialogue as follows:
Speaker Nabih Berri, PM Saad Hariri, former President Amin Gemayel, MP Michel Aoun, former PM Najib Miqati, former PM Fouad Saniora, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, Defense Minister Elias Murr, MP Walid Jumblat, MP Mohammed Raad, MP Suleiman Franjieh, MP Talal Arslan, Minister Michel Pharaon, Minister Mohammed Safadi, Minister Jean Oghassabian, MP Assaad Hardan, MP Hagop Pakradounian, LF leader Samir Geagea, Professor Fayez al-Hajj Chahine.
The statement also said Suleiman will invite the participants for a meeting at Baabda palace that will be announced at a later date.
The last national dialogue session was held on June 1 ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Update: NBN TV has reported that the president will convene the national dialogue within 10 days.

Resumption date of dialogue talks may be delayed

Kuwait newspaper al Qabas has reported that the Lebanese national dialogue talks will be facing problems that could cause delay in the resumption date . The problems include the expansion of the talks …who should be added from the minority… and the subjects that will be tackled at the talks . The main subject of the talks is supposed to be the defense strategy but others want to add other issues like the formation of a committee to abolish political sectarianism, political and economic reform especially the issue of privatization