Suleiman calls for national dialogue on Syria

President Michel Suleiman on Thursday announced that he will call for a national dialogue conference to be held in the second week of June, urging the March 14 Alliance to participate without linking it to the issue of forming a new government. “Of course I will call for a dialogue and I have already had several discussions and informed the leaders  on the topics for discussion namely: the defence strategy concerning when and how arms of the resistance can be used; the implementation of the previous resolutions concerning the removal of Palestinian weapons outside camps and organising them within camps; and the removal of weapons from Lebanese cities and towns,” said Suleiman in an interview with the Lebanon Broadcasting Company (LBC). “In the next few days, I will send everyone a written letter calling for dialogue to be held in the second week of June, and those who have preconditions must announce them during the first session of dialogue,” the president added. Earlier on Thursday, the March 14 Alliance announced the formation of a “neutral, salvation government,” revealing that they would  soon submit an initiative to Suleiman “aimed at confronting the attempt to ruin Lebanon.” The March 14 alliance named after the date of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution, is a coalition of political parties and independents in Lebanon that are united by their pro-sovereignty stance, led by MP Saad Hariri, son of assassinated former PM of Lebanon Rafiq Hariri. In a statement issued after an emergency meeting in the wake of the latest unrest in the country, the March 14 Alliance noted that in order to confront "the conspiracy of ruining Lebanon" and the collapse of its state, requires the resignation of the government and the formation of a government of civil peace -- a neutral salvation government that would help the president relaunch his dialogue concerning all weapons in the country -- and to implement the national dialogue resolutions and oversee free elections. Suleiman said that if any side has objections to the government's proposals,  it must voice them at the dialogue table. “I hope March 14 will heed the call without preconditions,” he added. Suleiman drew attention to the fact that the government can only be toppled in parliament or through the resignation of its premier. “Let us stay within the democratic system,” he went on to say. The president emphasised the need for dialogue adding that it had always been a solution to any problem throughout Lebanon's history, "from 1943 until now” he said. “The leaders of this country must quickly heed my call for a resumption in dialogue or, God forbid, they will find themselves compelled to attend dialogue under duress,” Suleiman warned. Asked about the letter he recently received from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah concerning the tense situation in Lebanon, Suleiman answered that the efforts being made by the presidency and the government "are the biggest answers to the Saudi king's letter concerning sparing Lebanon the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.” Asked about the government’s so-called “self-disassociation policy” towards the Syrian crisis, Suleiman said: “We will definitely not change the self-disassociation policy, which is the best stance. The call for positive neutralism dates back to 40 years ago and we have achieved it today.” Suleiman stressed that the Lebanese state will not allow the creation of “buffer zones” on Lebanese territory aimed at aiding the armed Syrian opposition in its fight against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “No one has asked us to do so and this issue is harmful to Syria,” said the president. Commenting on the latest reports about the presence of al-Qaeda and other terror organisations in the country, Suleiman dismissed the reports: "Lebanon is not a base for al-Qaeda or for trafficking weapons to Syria”. “I am not for arming the rebels from Lebanon, and the army is raiding any place which is suspected of being a base for fighters. Lebanon will not become a launchpad to harm Syria or any Arab country” adding that "money is not being smuggling to the regime as the  Syrian opposition has claimed.” Commenting on the issue of Syrian refugees in Lbanon, Suleiman said: “We will heed the needs of the Syrian refugees and offer them every care in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” On the recent travel warnings issued by the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, Suleiman played these down saying that the Arab (Gulf) stance "is not political and the Arab brothers have not left Lebanon and they know that the security problems are not dangerous” adding that he would visit the Arab countries concerned who expressed concerns about the Lebanese situation to discuss the regional problems. Suleiman was eager to reassure that the war in Syria "has not and will not spill over to Lebanon" adding that the ongoing repercussions "have no political prospect and the parties do not want to change the Taif Accord”  referring to the aggreement which was reached to end Lebanon's civil war. “Anyincident caused by the turbulence will be addressed,” he said. He was quick to point out that "security has been fine over the past four years and today the repercussions of the Syrian crisis are inevitable but can be easily resolved.” He remained upbeat but cautious about the future of Lebanon saying it  is "secure and promising but everyone must show care and not be dragged into political disputes, and politicians must not interfere in the Syrian crisis and must ask their supporters not to interfere,” the president urged. On the issue of the Lebanese Shiite pilgrims abducted in Syria, Suleiman said: “According to the available information, the abductees are in good health and they will be freed.” “No one in Syria will benefit from this unwarranted operation,” he said.