Lebanon's March 14 forces of the ruling majority have said they would accept dialogue with the opposition, if unconditional election of a president takes place on May 13, An-Nahar daily reported Tuesday.
The ruling parliamentary majority voiced the stance in a statement after its meeting on Monday night, which assigned majority leader Saad Hariri to discuss with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri "means to ensure electing a president on May 13."
"The election of a president should not be linked to any condition or prior agreement," the statement was quoted as saying.
"Electing a president is a priority in accordance with Lebanese constitution and Arab initiative," and is the way to solve the Lebanese crisis, the statement stressed.
Lebanese opposition demands a prior agreement on the shape of the new government and on the election law before electing Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as president.
Following two days of meetings with Lebanese leaders, Hariri pledged Monday that majority lawmakers would elect a president on May 13.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is also a main leader of the opposition bloc, has called for dialogue among Lebanese factions, under his auspices to discuss the formation of a national unity government and a new election law.
The ruling coalition previously rejected Berri's dialogue initiative, accusing him to be an opposition leader who can not sponsor dialogue.
Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been vacant since Nov. 24, 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.
Berri announced last Tuesday the 18th postponement of an election session, without fixing a date for the next session which he made connected to national dialogue initiative aimed at reaching a breakthrough between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
On Saturday, Berri set May 13 as a new schedule date for electing a new president.
Source:Xinhua
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