Lebanon : National Dialogue over Defense Strategy Postponed until March 2

26/01/2009 | Al Manar For the forth consecutive time, the fourteen Lebanese "poles" convened at the Baabda Presidential Palace with the goal of "resuming" discussions over the country's defense strategy in an attempt to reach a common "formula." While the session ended just like the previous sessions with the "magic" formula of postponing discussions furthermore and assigning March 2 the date for a fifth dialogue session, things seemed to be different this time especially that the dialogue session came a few days following another victory for the Resistance pattern in the region against the brutal Zionist entity. Thus, the Gaza model imposed itself at the national dialogue session and on the various proposals for defense strategies at such a critical moment. Yet, March 14 bloc MP Boutros Harb, who submitted his own platform for the defense strategy during the session, rejected the notion that the Gaza model has settled the discussions. He told Lebanese daily As-Safir that what happened in Gaza was not similar to what happened in Lebanon during the Israeli 33-day war against the country in 2006. "In Gaza, there is no state and two governments, whereas in Lebanon, there is a state, a national government and a national army," he said. Harb noted that his vision for a national defense strategy was based on "commitment to Resolution 1701 and the document of national understanding, the return to the Armistice agreement, and the need to adopt developed methods to equip and develop the army in terms of soldiers and equipment." He said his vision could be resumed by the formation of "the army supporters" – a regiment similar to national guards – which would be placed under the army’s command and be open for everyone who wants to volunteer. Meanwhile, reports indicated that there was no progress in the formation of a committee tasked with studying the possibility of a national defense strategy as some parties had failed to designate their representatives to the committee. Participants in the national dialogue session were expected to designate representatives to the committee of military and political experts. According to Lebanese daily An-Nahar, former President and pro-March 14 figure Amin Gemayel reportedly appointed retired Colonel Johnny Khalaf, while the Lebanese Forces designated retired Colonel Wehbé Qatisha to the committee, which will hold its first meeting next Thursday. A statement from the presidency said a team of experts will be formed to examine proposals on a defense strategy, and that another round of talks will be held on March 2 at the Baabda presidential place. It added that participants agreed to work on the implementation of previous agreements concerning the issue of Palestinian weapons outside the country's 12 refugee camps which house an estimated 400,000 people. However, Lebanese various leaders don't seem too "optimistic" that a "common" formula for a defense strategy would be reached soon. In this context, Gemayel, who's also Phalanges Party leader, said that current conditions were still "unfavorable" to achieve clear results over the national dialogue roundtable, especially after some speeches concerning the arms’ issue. But, earlier in the week, President Sleiman made sure to assure all Lebanese that "dialogue is doing well and there is no need to rush" things. "The defense strategy takes time," the statement said, noting that in some states, its discussion takes many years. "At every session, we write down common points pending political calm in order to better plan for a national strategy that gathers and guarantees Lebanon's strength," Sleiman's statement emphasized. The national dialogue organized by President Michel Sleiman is being attended by 14 leaders representing the main parliamentary blocs. It is aimed at resolving lingering disputes between the country's rival parties, amid fears that the degree of disagreement would make the reaching of a consensus an "impossible" task.