BEIRUT: Hezbollah’s number two Sheikh Naeem Qassem on Wednesday said dialogue between his party and the Future Movement defuses sectarian tensions and constitutes an adequate basis to combat terrorism.
“Today there is a dialogue between Hezbollah and the Future Movement,” Qassem said during a graduation ceremony. “We have long called for dialogue because we know that dialogue generates appropriate solutions instead of bickering and incitement.”
The first round of talks between the two rival groups Tuesday, lasted for three-and-a-half hours, was hosted by Speaker Nabih Berri at his Ain al-Tineh residence amid a total media blackout.
A statement issued by Hezbollah and the Future Movement following their first meeting said the two parties agreed during an ice-breaking meeting to start a “serious and responsible” dialogue with the aim of easing political tensions in the country and paving the way for energizing state institutions.
“This dialogue is part of the social and political stability,” Qassem said. “[Dialogue] puts an end to sectarian incitement and provocation and diminishes tensions and constitutes an adequate basis to fight terrorism, which is threatening all of us.”
The deputy secretary general of Hezbollah said dialogue was an opportunity to “thoroughly” discuss all problematic issues with “frankness and transparency.” “We might find solutions for some [issues] but not be able to resolve others,” he noted, adding that the concept of dialogue in itself was a positive one.
Qassem slammed skeptics, saying dialogue with the Future Movement served the interests of the Lebanese people.
Speaking about dialogue, Berri told visiting lawmakers Wednesday that the first round of talks between Hezbollah and the Future Movement was “positive and encouraging.” Berri added that dialogue was the only means to bolster entente among the various components of Lebanon’s political sphere.
Hezbollah and the Future Movement said their dialogue “is not aimed at forming a new political alliance in the country or confronting any political group, hijacking the decision of another or pressuring parties to take certain stances on constitutional events.”Attending the talks on behalf of Hezbollah were Hussein Khalil, the political aide to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, Industry Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan and MP Hasan Fadlallah.
Representing the Future Movement were Nader Hariri, chief of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s staff, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and MP Samir Jisr.
Media reports said on Wednesday that the next dialogue session is scheduled for January 5.
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