11/01/2010 The much-awaited meeting between the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt and the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun finally took place on Monday, marking the "end" of the Reconciliation season in Lebanon.
One day after he participated in the reconciliatory gathering in Shoueifat that constituted according to him a "huge turning point," Jumblatt was alongside a high-rank delegation the "guest" of Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement.
At the end of his hour-long meeting with Aoun, Jumblatt told reporters that the meeting was frank and stressed that it was not directed against anyone. "It is in the interest of the country and the nation and national unity," he pointed out.
The Progressive Socialist Party leader said the issue of the displaced people was the focal point of discussions. He noted that committees had been set up to pursue reconciliation and the return of the displaced people to the mountain.
Asked about his visit to Syria, Jumblatt said that he would accomplish it at the appropriate time. "Everything has its circumstances. But now, I'm in Rabieh in Lebanon," he concluded.
For his part, Aoun said the reconciliation was "aimed at removing the psychological and social barriers between citizens, after having removed the natural barriers."
"The return by itself is not sufficient as the mountain needs to be developed in order for its people to be able to return," the General pointed out.
Ahead of the meeting, Jumblatt told Lebanese daily As-Safir that Rabiyeh visit comes within the context of talks with Aoun under the auspices of President Michel Suleiman on the need to conclude the issue of the return of the displaced persons. "This would be the last leg of the reconciliation process," he said.
The delegation accompanying Jumblatt included Ministers Wael Bou Faour and Akram Chehayeb, MPs Marwan Hamade, Nehme Tohme, Alaeddin Terro, Elie Aoun and PSP officials Sharif Fayyad, Duraid Yaghi, Rami Rayyess and Nasser Zeidan.
The meeting was also attended by MPs Ibrahim Kenaan, Nabil Nicolas, Abbas Hashem, Simon Abi Ramia, Walid Khoury, Alain Aoun, Naji Gharios, Hekmat Dib, Farid Khazen, Ziad Aswad, Michel Helo and Edgard Maalouf.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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