TASHNAG DELEGATION IN MAARAB SEEKING POLITICAL OPENNESS

Naharnet
14 Aug 09, 19:39
Beirut

Tashnaq Party leader Hovik Mukhtarian met Friday Lebanese Forces
leader Samir Geagea as part of the group’s political openness toward
the various Lebanese sides.

Mukhtarian, accompanied by a delegation which included MP Hagop
Pakradounian, stressed following the meeting at Geagea’s residence in
Maarab the party’s "continuous contact" not only with the LF, but also
with the majority March 14 coalition and the Hizbullah-led Opposition.

"We, again today, agreed on the fundamental national principles found
in both the Lebanese Forces and Tashnag," Mukhtarian said.

Turning to the Cabinet issue, Mukhtarian hoped a new national unity
government would soon be formed.

He assured that Tashnag’s seat in the new Cabinet is "reserved."

>From Maarab the Armenian delegation headed for a meeting with Lebanese
Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan.

Pakradounian acknowledged following the talks that there was "more
than one obstacle" facing government formation.

He said Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun’s demand for the
appointment of his son-in-law Jebran Bassil was "only a small portion
of the problem."

"Regretfully, the problem is not just Lebanese. An Arab-Arab balance
is needed," he added.

Meanwhile, the Political Council of Armenian MPs held its periodical
meeting at Tashnag’s headquarters to discuss the latest developments,
particularly the issue of a Cabinet lineup.

A statement issued following the meeting stressed the "importance of
accelerating formation of a national unity government that will hasten
a solution for the urgent economical, social and welfare problems"
and provide the Lebanese citizens with "the right for a descent life
in their own country."

The statement also stressed the need for "widening relations with all
concerned political parties and implementing a policy of openness based
on the principles of moderation, dialogue and free decision-making."