Decision to Form Military Committee to Study Defense Strategy Proposals Postponed
Participants at national talks on Monday agreed to form a military committee that would listen to the various ideas of the14-dialogue members on the defense strategy only after the presentation of all views and proposals.
Sources close to the dialogue ruled out the formation of this committee prior to the upcoming 2009 parliamentary elections, the daily An-Nahar said Tuesday.
President Michel Suleiman concluded Monday”s meeting by setting Jan. 22 for holding the 4th session of the national dialogue.
MP Michel Murr attempted to postpone the date further till March. However, it was Suleiman”s wish to "keep the dialogue warm."
At the next dialogue session, MP Butros Harb is to present his own vision of the defense strategy, to be followed by an input by former President Amin Gemayel on the issue of Shebaa Farms.
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and MPs Walid Jumblat and Saad Hariri were observed to have listened intently to the developments during Monday”s session.
Jumblat was noted to have smiled more than once while Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea presented his blueprint of the defense strategy.
Dialogue participants issued a statement affirming their commitment to maintaining calm and continuing with the process of reconciliation.