Talks essential before polls, says Mitri

Dubai: In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Tarek Mitri, the Lebanese Information Minister stressed the need for more talks to help resolve the simmering political situation in Lebanon ahead of the parliamentary elections slated to take place in May of 2009.

"As we are heading towards parliamentary elections in 2009, and they cannot take place without national stability. Lebanese are not only worried about the economy and the future but they are worried about external pressure that has been exercised on them," he said.

The talks will aim to calm the situation on the street and to instill peace before the Lebanese go to the polls amid highly explosive political differences in the country.

Last year Hezbollah and its allies briefly took control of West Beirut, in an effort to exert political pressure to get more seats in the parliament.

Last week, Lebanon's rival political leaders met for a second round of talks on lingering disputes but no breakthrough was made given deep-seated differences, notably over Hezbollah's weapons.

The 14 politicians, who assembled for some three and a half hours under the auspices of President Michel Sulaiman, decided to gather on December 22.

However, Mitri applauded recent talks between Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and leader of the Future Movement Sa'ad Al Hariri as a positive start, but warned that the meeting in itself would not solve all the problems.

"Political differences will stay with us and we can't necessarily solve all differences but we need to promote dialogue between he various Lebanese institutions to build a bridge between the different parties and sects," he said.

"No matter what happens, we must not resort to violence or aggression. We must assure the Lebanese that we have quit violence in all its forms," he added.

Tarek Mitri, is a Greek Orthodox Christian born in Tripoli. He holds a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Paris and has been heavily involved in interfaith dialogue initiatives.

Sheba'a farms: Land frictions

With regards to the sticky issue of Sheba'a Farms, Tarek Mitri said there are only two possible ways to settle the issue.

"Solving this issue is no mystery. Syria has to provide the United Nations with a document confirming that it is Syrian territory or follow the Lebanese track, which offers a seven-point plan that says Sheba'a can remain in UN custody until Israel fully withdraws or it is liberated," he said.