MP Houri: The call for dialogue is a rejection of the Arab initiative

 

MP Ammar Houri of the Future bloc said that MP Michel Aoun’s statements are not encouraging regarding setting a meeting between him and MP Saad Hariri.

 

“Aoun has proven his lack of dialogue skills on previous occasions,” Houri told NOW Lebanon.

 

Aoun said yesterday that he is not looking for a meeting joining him and Hariri unless there are national reasons justifying it.

 

He also said that everyone is aware of the content of the Arab initiative, which calls for the election of Army Commander General Michel Sleiman as president, the establishment of a national-unity government and the adoption of a new electoral law.

 

“Both parties have agreed on it,” he added.

 

“Those calling for the return to dialogue are expressing their rejection of what has already been agreed on and are insisting on preserving the vacuum,” Houri said.

 

He also welcomed a meeting joining March 14 and March 8 leaders in the presence of Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, where parties would provide Moussa with answers to his questions, and then Sleiman would be elected.

 

“In other words, the agenda of the meeting will be restricted to one point: the election of General Sleiman as president,” Houri said.

 

He also said that Moussa’s visit to Damascus will be a chance to expose Syria’s “theoretical” approval of the Arab initiative.

 

Houri noted that the Arab Summit, set to be held in Damascus, might be cancelled or relocated if a president is not elected in Lebanon.

 

He also said that the opposition will drive Lebanon into the unknown and probably toward further internationalization.

 

“If the Arab Summit is not held, or if it fails, we might be in a situation similar to the one that preceded the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1559.”

 

“However, we are still holding to the Arab initiative,” Houri added.