Druze leader refuses to dismiss ministers

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman A special security meeting was held by Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Tuesday after noon to discuss the country’s safety issues following the assassination of General Wissam al-Hassan as well as the situation on the border with Syria. Sources who attended the meeting told Arabstoday that Sleiman asked his security chiefs to coordinate their efforts to guarantee the safety of the Lebanese people.
Sleiman has boosted the confidence of the security chiefs to address those who threaten Lebanon’s national security, referring to weapon traffickers in the country and the recent clashes in Tripoli between Sunni and Alawite groups.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Tuesday visited the Druze leader and chairman of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), MP Walid Jumblat.
Sources close to PM Mikati told Arabstoday that the one-hour meeting tackled the latest developments in the country, especially after Jumblat's rejection to withdraw his party's three ministers from Mikati's cabinet, which he was asked to do by the opposition.
The visit comes after Mikati stressed Saturday that he will not resign and lashed out at the March 14 camp that held him responsible for the assassination of General Wissam al-Hassan.
On Thursday, Jumblat said he had rejected a request from the March 14 camp leader, ex-PM Saad Hariri to withdraw his ministers from the government, a claim denied by Hariri who accused Jumblat of lying.
Jumblat has announced that he will stay in the "centrist camp" together with Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri and President Michel Suleiman.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mikati stressed that dialogue is the best way to unite and enforce Lebanon in light of the current "dangerous regional conditions".
"We cannot solve national issues through stubbornness and arrogance, but through dialogue. We need to find common grounds on which all Lebanese meet in order to fortify our nation during this dangerous regional situation," said Mikati.
"We will continue to take responsibility because the current circumstances require so. We cannot leave the country in political vacuum that could lead to chaos. All leaders are required to meet at the national table of dialogue instead of adopting negative means and boycotting parliamentary work."
The opposition March 14 alliance decided to boycott parliamentary work until the cabinet resigns.
The decision came following the assassination of General Wissam al-Hassan, as March 14 accused the government of covering up the crime.
A source close to the president told Arabstoday that MP Walid Jumblat - after his meeting with Mikati- went to meet President Sleiman at the Baabda palace on Tuesday evening, but no detail about the meeting was revealed.