The Chief of the opposition Democratic Renewal Party MP, Nassib Lahoud, said Tuesday his party has adopted a national and democratic plan that respects freedoms and promotes democracy. This program, he added, could be the basis of national reconciliation and aimed at maintaining balanced Lebanese-Syrian ties, which serve the expectations of both nations, according to AL MUSTAQBAL Wednesday. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation representing the Lebanese Communist Party, headed by its leader Khaled Hadadeh, Lahoud said, "There is enough agreement in the Lebanese circles to carry out plans that reflect the will of the people." He added "all democratic forces in Lebanon have expressed their readiness to cooperate together."

On his part, Hadadeh said that his meeting with Lahoud was part of a series of meetings the party had been holding with political parties following the extension of President Emile Lahoud's mandate. He added the Communist Party was trying to rally the Democratic Renewal Party's support in confronting the repercussion of UN Security Council resolution 1559 as well as the U.S. plans in the region.

Hadadeh went on to say that the constitutional amendment to allow the extension of Lahoud's term prompted foreign countries to meddle in Lebanon's domestic affairs. "Any confrontation against the current situation and the U.S. pressure should be based on normal Lebanese-Syrian ties by ensuring mutual respect and free decision-making as well as coordination on the political, economic and military levels," Hadadeh said.

Hadadeh added that there is a serious plan to introduce political reforms, including drafting a new election law to achieve true and comprehensive national reconciliation on the basis of fair and proper representation of all Lebanese factions and groups.