Report: Hariri-Hizbullah Talks Likely on Dissociation Policy

In order to find an effective way to distance Lebanon from the regional conflicts and end Hizbullah's involvement in neighboring wars, Prime Minister Saad Hariri's meeting with Hizbullah officials to that end are “not ruled out,” the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily reported on Saturday.

“Sources of al-Mustaqbal Movement said that Hariri has sensed a good response from President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri's part on the need to find a practical mechanism for the country's dissociation policy, on Hizbullah's part, from the regional conflicts,” the daily said.

“The Premier was convinced of President Aoun's steadiness in seeking solutions, based on what he said before the joint meeting of the Mustaqbal Movement leadership and his parliamentary bloc yesterday that Aoun is a strategic ally,” the sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.

They added that Aoun will likely hold separate talks with political parties, rather than calling for an expanded dialogue at the presidential palace, to exchange ideas on the way out of the crisis threatening Lebanon's relations with the Arab states.

As a result of his talks and agreement with Hariri, the sources said that Berri will brief Hizbullah on the atmosphere of the real Arab position that rejects the party's practices in a number of Arab countries.

They added that “Hariri himself intends to expand his meetings with various parties and leaders, including Hizbullah and Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea.”