Lebanese leader calls parties to nat''l dialogue meeting

BEIRUT, March 21 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Michel Suleiman called on Friday National Dialogue Committee members to hold a meeting on March 31 "to continue seeking a national defense strategy." After the formation of a national government and based on regional and international developments, including repercussions in Lebanon, such dialogue is vital and irreplaceable to address the risks facing Lebanon, namely Israel, terrorism, and the random spread of weapons, said a Lebanese presidency statement.
The meeting will be held at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, "to continue discussing the scenario presented by President Suleiman about the national defense strategy of Lebanon, added the statement.
The national dialogue sessions, which include the most prominent Lebanese political leaders, had been launched in 2006 and completed sporadically until the last meeting of September 20, 2012, and then stopped after a dispute between members over Hezbollah activities. (end) ayb.mb KUNA 212042 Mar 14NNNN