Hariri met khaddam and Shuttling Diplomacy to heal troika’s rift
Prime minister Rafic Hariri arrived back late yesterday from Damascus where he held talks with V.P Khaddam. It is apparent that he was seeking the Syrian help to defuse the renewed tension between P.Hrawi and speaker Berri. Some reports said a Syrian senior delegation, including V.P Khaddam and foreign minister Farouk Sharaa, who both have lately toured the Gulf countries, is due to arrive to Beirut within days to discuss with P.Hrawi the regional issues, and the speaker would join the meeting. The efforts exerted aim to arrange for an early meeting of the Lebanese Syrian Higher Council headed by P.Hrawi and P.Assad. Mr Hariri is to brief P.Hrawi today on his talks in Damascus before flying to S.A and then Paris, where he is expected to meet P.Chirac in Paris.
Damascus is to receive today the interior minister Michel Murr, who will also convey proposals aim to narrow the gap. Mr Murr may have suggestions over the municipal elections and the constitutional amendments, which were both the root of the rift between the two officials. Mr Hariri, speaking at yesterday’s Iftar at his palace in Beirut, said the country is going through a critical phase that requires us all to remain tolerant and positive, also to place Lebanon’s interest above all other interests.