March 14 suspends its participation in National Dialogue

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s March 14 opposition coalition said Thursday its leader would boycott a National Dialogue session scheduled for next week over Hezbollah’s weapons.

The coalition announced its decision in a statement after representatives of its various parties held a meeting in Beirut. It cited Hezbollah’s refusal to discuss the fate of its arms at the talks as a main reason behind  well as the government’s laxity in providing protection to “threatened” March 14 figures and handing over communications data to investigators looking into a failed bid to kill MP Butrous Harb.

The next dialogue session is scheduled for July 24 at the presidential palace.

Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad said earlier this week that it was premature to discuss a national defense strategy.

Hezbollah has steadfastly refused to discuss the issue of handing over its weapons to the state. March 14 parties had expressed the hope that the National Dialogue would at least tackle the issue of a national defense strategy, but Raad’s comments have dispelled even this hope.