Al-Mustaqbal Ready to Attend Dialogue after Cabinet Formation
Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora has informed President Michel Suleiman about the movement's readiness to participate in an unconditional national dialogue only after the formation of the new government.
A high-ranking source told As Safir newspaper published Wendesday that an al-Mustaqbal delegation headed by Saniora returned from talks with the movement's leader ex-PM Saad Hairri in Jeddah with three conclusions.
The officials who met there conditioned the formation of a cabinet that does not include political figures and agreed to the resumption of dialogue that Suleiman had called for but without preconditions, saying they would attend the all-party talks only after Premier-designate Tammam Salam comes up with his line-up and receives the parliament's vote of confidence.
The third issue that was the focus of discussions in Jeddah was facilitating a solution to the vacuum that will be caused by Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji's retirement in two months.
Qahwaji turns 60 in September, the age of retirement for army commanders.
Parliament has so far failed to convene over the veto of several blocs among them al-Mustaqbal to deliberate on 45 draft-laws, including the extension of Qahwaji's mandate.
Saniora briefed Suleiman on Tuesday on the results of al-Mustaqbal delegation's meeting in Jeddah, sources said.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, another delegation traveled to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday afternoon to follow up the latest decisions reached with Hariri.
As Safir said Saniora informed Suleiman that he would receive Hariri's blessing to any formula that the president backs on the extension of Qahwaji's term.
It revealed that agreement has been reached among top parties to keep Qahwaji in his post through a legal formula that Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn has come up with.
Ghosn has informed Suleiman about it but they are waiting for a parliamentary session set for July 29 that has the extension on its agenda.
If the parliament fails to convene again over lack of quorum caused by the boycott of several blocs, then they would sign the bill to keep Qahwaji in his post for another year, As Safir said.
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