Differences on fate of Lahoud postpone inter- Lebanese dialogue
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/23/2006

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri announced postponement of the inter-Lebanese dialogue sessions until next Monday in order to make consultations among the sides of the dialogue over the fate of President Emile Lahoud. This is the second topic debated for discussion, beside the subject of the weapons of the Lebanese resistance.

Rival Lebanese leaders failed to agree on the fate of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday, highlighting the wide gaps among Syria's allies and foes trying to end Lebanon's worst political crisis in 16 years.

Political sources close to the "national dialogue" meeting in Beirut had said the talks' third round were not likely to yield breakthroughs on Lahoud's fate and disarming the anti-Israeli Hizbollah guerrillas.

"We all know that there is a crisis in the country and we are all determined to end it," parliament majority leader Saad al-Hariri told reporters.

"I am optimistic about the issue of the presidency, and god willing, we will find a new president for our beloved country Lebanon."

Wednesday's session did not tackle Hizbollah's arms.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the talks will resume on March 27, a day before an Arab summit in Sudan where politicians say Lebanon is expected to feature prominently through efforts by heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Egypt to ease tensions between Beirut and Damascus.

Berri said discussions "were more frank than at any other time before... We found that the issue needs more discussion and consultations."

"All of our decisions must end in consensus, no one can force his opinion on the others," he said.

Lebanese politicians, Muslim and Christian, pro- and anti-Syrian, first met at the "national dialogue" talks in early March to find a way out of the country's worst crisis since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.

The talks resumed a day after UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he would begin talks with Beirut on creating a special court to try suspects in the 2005 murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

Hizbullah and its alley the Christian parliamentarian and leader of the National Free Trend, Michael Aoun, considered that the political crisis in Lebanon is not the result of the existence of Lahoud, considered a Damascus alley, in the office of Presidency.

Previous Stories:
  Inter-Lebanese dialogue resumes   (3/22/2006)
  Tishrin: Syrian court wants to question Khaddam   (3/21/2006)
  Sinioura for political and economic reforms, relations with Syria   (3/20/2006)

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