23-1-2009

"The defense strategy issue could only be solved through dialogue," the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt reiterated following a visit he paid to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday. "The defense strategy is solved through dialogue according to Lebanese, Arab and regional circumstances," Jumblatt told reporters.

He said his meeting with Berri was aimed at following up practical steps a day after Jumblatt met with a Hizbullah delegation headed by the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad.
He also said that several officials from his Progressive Socialist Party and Berri's Amal movement held a meeting Thursday night.

"It is true that each one of us has a different political stance but Lebanon cannot be ruled without consensus", Jumblatt emphasized.
For his part, Berri told Lebanese daily As-Safir that the atmosphere is positive. "We make a step forward every time we meet with Jumblatt", the Speaker noted.