The Lebanese presidency has held onto its invitation to hold all-party talks at the Baabda Palace on Thursday, despite the boycott of several opposition factions, including former prime ministers, the Kataeb party and the Marada Movement.
The Lebanese Forces, headed by Samir Geagea, is yet to announce its position, but its sources hinted at a snub to President Michel Aoun’s invitation for dialogue.
While opposition parties from across the political spectrum said that the meeting lacked a clear agenda and pointed to the government’s failure to implement any reform measures, sources close to the presidency stressed that the talks would take place on schedule.
They also downplayed criticism on the alleged unconstitutionality of the meeting.
“There is no doubt that the absence of the former prime ministers (from the talks) is unfortunate, but this does not mean a lack of constitutionality, because all sects will be represented,” the sources noted.
Reaffirming that the meeting would discuss the security developments in Beirut and Tripoli, the sources emphasized that there was no dispute among rival parties on security issues and civil peace.
All sides reject instability, said the sources.
For his part, former President Amin Gemayel urged Aoun to postpone the meeting and rearrange its priorities “according to the requirements of the constitution and the supreme interest of the state, in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s sovereignty… and its Arab and international relations.”
In a statement, Lebanon’s former prime ministers, including Fouad Siniora, Tammam Salam, Saad Hariri and Najib Mikari, said that the Baabda meeting was a “waste of time” and lacked an agenda that meets the priorities imposed by the current situation.
The head of Marada, former Minister Suleiman Franjieh, announced he would not attend the meeting, and hoped that “those present would succeed in saving the economic and security situation, and finding the desired solutions.”
MP Sami Gemayel, the head of Kataeb, also snubbed the talks, urging Aoun to invite for a dialogue on an economic rescue plan that resolves the people’s problems and improves their living conditions.
