President Suleiman calls on cabinet to fortify national unity

Source: nowlebanon.com, 07-07-2008

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman urged the next government to strengthen national unity, emphasizing the need to respect differences in opinion.

"The national unity government requires sacrifice, determination and follow-up," Suleiman said on Monday. "The basic mechanism exists, and everyone must believe in it. The question, at the end, is whether we want a prosperous home for all or not."

After meeting with former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss, Suleiman said the ministerial statement should be inspired by Arab Ministerial Council's statement, the Doha Agreement and Suleiman's own inaugural speech, which was the center of widespread praise.

The president reiterated his faith in the Resistance as a national element of strength for Lebanon which the nation must take advantage of in forming a national defense policy.

"I find that everybody in Lebanon is compliant on this matter. Today, we are in a new stage, and we must draw from all elements of strength we have," he stated.

Suleiman confirmed that the national dialogue agenda would cover the theme of Lebanon's defensive strategy, in addition to other matters of national concern.

On whether the next attempt at dialogue is set to take place before the ministerial statement is issued, Suleiman said what counted was that "dialogue is governed by all teams and serves the public interests of the Lebanese."

Suleiman added that he was hopeful "given that the dialogue will join opponents who are voluntarily returning to the table to improve the political system."

"If there was no such will, imagine what could happen, especially in a country like Lebanon, which is based on pluralism... I hope that the atmosphere surrounding the dialogue is better than that which prevailed in the past," he concluded.