Speaker Nabih Berri presides over a meeting of Parliament on Nov. 27, 2020. (Credit: Parliament/Hasan Ibrahim)
BEIRUT — The Amal Movement party announced in a statement Monday that it is willing to participate in the national dialogue called for by President Michel Aoun on Dec. 27 “despite its agenda.”
Here’s what we know:
• Aoun called for an “urgent national dialogue” that would address three issues: expanded administrative and financial decentralization, a defense strategy to protect Lebanon and a financial and economic recovery plan that includes essential reforms and the equitable distribution of financial sector losses.
• Amal, whose head is Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, said in its statement that “despite its agenda, our opinion of it, its timing, and the priorities it presents in these times, Amal will accept the invitation for the purpose of contributing to finding solutions for the crisis the country is suffering from.”
• Future Movement head and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed President Michel Aoun by phone on Friday that he will not participate, claiming such a conference “should take place after the parliamentary elections,” currently scheduled for May 15.
• "The dialogue concerns us all,” Aoun said on Monday after a meeting with Druze religious leader Sami Abi al-Mona in Baabda. “It is not linked to personal or partisan interests.”