Reaction to Beiteddine dialogue talks

The reaction to Thursday’s national dialogue talks at the Beiteddine Palace revolved around 3 issues

-The proposal of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea  which called for placing Hezbollah units under the command of the Lebanese army .

– The absence of FPM leader General Michel Aoun

– Usefulness of Dialogue talks

Aoun’s absence

FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan denied in an interview with the Free Lebanon radio station Al-Liwaa’s Friday report that , MP Michel Aoun, did not attend Thursday’s national dialogue session because he was frustrated and embarrassed after his party’s senior officials – retired Brigadier General Fayez Karam – was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of collaborating with Israel.

Aoun was not frustrated, he said.

Karam has reportedly provided information to Israel on Hezbollah.

Aoun is one of Hezbollah’s closest allies

According to local reports Aoun called the president to say his was sick.

Geagea’s proposal

Kanaan commented on Geagea’s “Transitional Plan”, saying that all national dialogue committee members have the right to voice their opinion.

According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Forces’ media office, LF leader Samir Geagea proposed during Thursday’s national dialogue session reinforcing the Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) deployment in the South by placing Hezbollah units under the command of the Lebanese army .

Geage stressed during the dialogue talks that his proposal “ is a ‘transitional plan’ giving Lebanon the best possible opportunity to defend its borders at the present time”

“The national dialogue [sessions] will not yield any result,” Kanaan said, adding that “the situation in Lebanon today is aimed at defusing tension .”

Hezbollah MP Kamel Rifai told ANB television on Friday that Geagea wants to monitor the Resistance and uncover its quarters by proposing the “Transitional Plan.”

“Geagea is hiding something [behind his proposal],” Rifai said, adding, “All we want to focus on is the concept that Lebanon’s defense is based on its army, people and Resistance.”

On the other hand Lebanese Forces bloc MP Farid Habib said that Geagea’s “Transition Plan” was logical and should be taken into account by the members of the national dialogue committee.

Habib reiterated that the state should be the only power responsible for peace and war decisions.

Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad described Geagea’s proposal as “not positive and not encouraging”.

“The aim of Geagea’s proposal is not to defend Lebanon, but rather to get rid of Hezbollah and its arms,” added Raad.

One of the best sessions

Minister of State Michel Pharaon, a key member of March 14 told LBCI television on Friday that Thursday’s meeting was one of the best national dialogue sessions, adding conversation during the sit-down was very calm.

Useless

MP Elie Marouni , a key member of the Phalange party said Friday that national dialogue sessions won’t achieve any result and they mislead the public.

“The national dialogue is just a means to bring Lebanese leaders together. It won’t achieve any result because the political differences that led to the talks are still there,” Marouni told Radio Orient.

“They are meeting to mislead the Lebanese and Arab public opinion that the leaders are able to communicate,” he said.

Marouni said the new dialogue session was set for October 19 due to developments linked to the international tribunal indictment and other regional issues.

Free patriotic Movement MP Ghassan Moukheiber also told the Voice of Lebanon (VOL) on Friday that the national dialogue sessions are a waste of time. “National dialogue sessions are not seriously taking Lebanon’s problems into account,” Moukheiber said, calling for the need to speed up talks between Lebanon’s party leaders to resolve pending issues