Karam in Response to Hassan Khalil: We Have Never Refused Dialogue

Dr. Fadi Karam, a member of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, clarified in a statement that "colleague Ali Hassan Khalil repeated the claims of some parties that refuse dialogue, and we ask him: when did we refuse dialogue with President Nabih Berri and most parliamentary blocs?" He stated, "We have never refused dialogue, as evidenced by the recent discussions that led to military extensions and the adoption of the centrist bloc's initiative. What we currently reject is an official dialogue table that would produce a norm obligating everyone to prior dialogue before every presidential election, or the election of a Speaker or the naming of a Prime Minister; this is rejected due to its contradiction with the constitution." He added, "Any hypothetical dialogue should focus on the name of the President. How can we engage in dialogue with a team that clings to its presidential candidate? This leads us to conclude that what is required from the proposed dialogue is merely a facade, nothing more. Therefore, we are not interested in such dialogue."