Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman convened national talks Thursday in the absence of Opposition leaders from the March 8 coalition who decided to boycott the session after PM Saad Hariri postponed a Cabinet session set to discuss the false witnesses' issue. Speaker Nabih Berri, a key figure in March 8 and a Hizbullah ally, however, attended the brief dialogue session held at the presidential palace in Baabda.
He told reporters that he participated in the talks aimed at discussing a national strategy for the country in his capacity as Parliament Speaker. The meeting ended with a decision to reconvene before Independence Day on Nov.22.
A tripartite meeting between Suleiman, Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri preceded the dialogue.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said in response to a question regarding the absence of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun from the meeting: "Aoun is relying on me."
