DAILY SCOPE: FUTURE-HIZBULLAH MEETING BREAKS ICE

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:

AS-SAFIR:
Dialogue Christmas Gift: Openness, Prioritization, and Reassuring Allies
Daesh Fails Again in Raiding Der Al-Zour Airport

AL-AKHBAR:
Ain el Tineh Dialogue: Positive, Conservative

AL-LIWAA:

A Soothing Letter from Future, Hizbullah: No Pressure on Christians for Presidency

Al-MUSTAQBAL:

First Round of ‘Honest' Talks, Second Round After Holidays

Positive atmosphere prevailed on Lebanese newspapers on Wednesday, following the first meeting between the Future movement and Hizbullah, which is expected to leave positive impact on the Lebanese political arena in the coming few days.

The Future movement and Hizbullah held their first, long-awaited meeting in Ain el-Tineh on Tuesday evening under the auspices of Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri, in an attempt to devise a "roadmap" and a "mechanism" for the coming dialogue sessions between the two parties.

"The meetings are not aimed at forming a new political alignment in the domestic arena and they are not meant to be against anyone," said a joint statement issued after the talks.
The two parties also reassured that the dialogue is not aimed at "usurping" anyone's stance or "pressuring any political force regarding the constitutional junctures (presidential vote)," the statement added, noting that the talks would contribute to "helping the Lebanese reach common ground."

Well-informed sources told as-Safir newspaper that "the meeting approached all topics of Lebanese concern, noting that the dialogue agenda was organized upon priorities, topped with the main issue of confronting terrorism and the threats of sectarian strife.

Berri's sources told the paper that the main aim of the session was successfully achieved on Tuesday, which is the best gift to the Lebanese for the Holidays. During the meeting, Berri demonstrated the threats of the current period in Lebanon and the region, which require the highest levels of attentiveness.

Hizbullah and Mustaqbal stressed their keenness and willingness to start serious and responsible dialogue over the various issues. As-Safir also quoted Future movement sources saying that "the first meeting was a general session which was honest and serious, with a prevailing desire to hold a dialogue that would bring about what is best for the country."

The sources noted there are two major issues to be discussed and solved quickly: the sectarian tension and the presidential void, adding that if not only Hizbullah and the Future movement but all sides in Lebanon have a good intention and serious will to reach solutions then that would help bring real change. The sources also stressed that political differences should not constitute an impediment in face of dialogue.

As for Hizbullah sources, they told as-Safir that the atmosphere was positive, stressing the major pillars of national common interests of which all the Lebanese people are concerned.
"The parties agreed to continue dialogue in a positive manner which contributes to alleviating tensions and managing the disputes," the statement which was issued on Tuesday iterated.

The Future movement was represented by Nader Hariri, who is the adviser of Mustaqbal leader Saad Hariri, in addition to Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and MP Samir al-Jisr. Meanwhile, Hizbullah secretary-general's political aide Hussein Khalil, Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan and MP Hassan Fadlallah attended the meeting on behalf of Hizbullah.

Berri, the sponsor of the much-anticipated dialogue, took part in the session alongside his political aide, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

Five major topics are included in the agenda: defusing sectarian tensions and easing the political rhetoric, the anti-terror fight, the presidential vote, activating the work of institutions, and finding a new electoral law.

On the same note, Hizbullah sources told an-Nahar newspaper that they have called for dialogue constantly, and calls all parties to take part in it. The sources noted that it is an Islamic dialogue which coincides with another Christian dialogue, which at the end should reach an all-inclusive dialogue table which encompasses a national dialogue of all sides.

Future movement sources told the Lebanese daily that this dialogue is to ease the tension and open horizons to reach a national consensus on electing a president and end the impasse.

As for al-Liwaa newspaper, it quoted sources as saying that "both sides [Future and Hizbullah] hope that the dialogue paves the way for a more inclusive dialogue which would include all Lebanese factions and powers, despite their differences.

Source: Al-ahed news