Junblat prefers direct dialogue with Damascus

The crisis between the Lebanese government and the opposition over the assassination of the former prime minister has inclined to more tension with the rejection of the opposition the dialogue initiative proposed by the Lebanese authorities parties, rather demanding direct dialogue with Damascus.

Chairman of the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party, Walid Junblat, said on Sunday that "if there is no way but dialogue, let it be with the Syrian authority on the implementation of the Taif accord and the provisional withdrawal of the Syrian forces and dismantling of the intelligence departments." Junblat's statements came as the parties close to the government renewed the call for an unconditional dialogue with the opposition in conclusion of a meeting in the house of the Speaker of the Lebanese parliament and leader of the Amal movement Nabih Berri in Beirut.

In a press conference held after the meeting, Berri renewed the call for dialogue which was launched in an official by statement the parties close to the authorities on Saturday in conclusion of a meeting held outside Beirut.