Jumblatt Ready to Meet Aoun: Dialogue Is Proper Channel

The head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt said on Wednesday that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has informed him of his willingness to meet Prime Minister-Designate Saad Hariri, stressing that he "does not mind" meeting the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun.

Speaking to Lebanese daily As-Safir, Jumblatt agreed to a possible meeting with Aoun, but emphasized that such meeting needs time, since some details should be studied. "Dialogue remains the proper channel to defuse the current tension between the Progressive Socialist Party and the Free Patriotic Movement."

Jumblatt voiced support for forming the new government according to a formula that provides guarantees to all parties. "A possible Syrian-Saudi meeting remains the most important guarantee for the new government and will pave the way for an Arab-Iranian dialogue," he said.

While Jumblat expressed "extreme satisfaction," he did not conceal his fear of a "Sunni-Shiite discord."

Meanwhile, As-Safir said Jumblatt has been exerting efforts to hold a meeting between Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, "benefiting from a Saudi climate that is encouraging the Premier-designate to move in this direction."

Jumblatt's bids, according to As-Safir, are likely to produce a meeting between Hariri and Berri "in order to launch serious talks" that would lead to a speedy formation of a national unity government.