Calls escalate for internal dialogue 'based on the state's monopoly on weapons'

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban: Political calls for an internal dialogue “based on the state’s exclusive monopoly on weapons” have intensified, most notably from Walid Jumblatt, former president of the Progressive Socialist Party, in an interview with the IMI media group. He stated that “the region’s crises will not end as long as the Israelis do as they please.” Meanwhile, the spotlight has focused on the initiative by Kamal Gemayel, head of the Free Patriotic Movement and MP, toward Baabda and Ain el-Tineh. President Joseph Aoun, heading a delegation, received him and subsequently stressed “the importance of national unity in light of the current crisis, and the need to support the presidents of the Republic and the Government under these circumstances,” calling for “thinking about Lebanon’s future and working to build the desired homeland.” MP Naim Efrat, after his visit to Baabda, commended the President’s positions aimed at “preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and extending state authority.”

From the second presidential residence, where he was received by Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, MP Gemayel said: “We emphasize the importance of protecting national interests and enhancing sustainable dialogue among all sects and political parties, because tension never serves national interests. We need to move forward. There is international interest in Lebanon, and this interest must not be ignored.” He added that solidarity and positive dialogue are an urgent necessity for the country’s future, especially since today’s political axes cannot control the circumstances of the Lebanese citizen. “President Berri was responsive, and we also discussed other matters.”

In Beirut, he pointed to the meeting between Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian and former Prime Minister Dr. Hassan Diab at the Dar al-Fatwa, where they reviewed the situation from various angles. Diab stated: “My visit to Dar al-Fatwa was in a natural context. I reviewed with His Eminence the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the difficult living and social conditions endured by Lebanese people. Our views were in agreement, as usual, on the necessity of finding solutions to these crises pressing on the Lebanese.”

He continued: “Regrettably, Lebanon should have been put on the track of social, living, and economic solutions six years ago, when we introduced the economic recovery plan, which was thwarted by financial and personal interests. To this day, the country has not reached consensus on a comprehensive, balanced, and fair plan to put Lebanon on the path of recovery in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund. We now hope to accelerate negotiations with the Fund, despite the Constitutional Council’s decision to annul the amendment to Article 3 of the Banks Reform Law approved by the Parliament.”