BEIRUT, Lebanon - Christian opposition lawmaker Michel Aoun argued on Wednesday that the national roundtable dialogue is infertile, “but we are obliged to keep it up until the end”, An-Nahar reported Thursday.

Dialogue, which has been ongoing intermittently since March 2, is set to resume its ninth session today to discuss endorsing a defensive strategy against Israel.

Aoun said that the government has to sit for another vote of confidence in parliament because it is bankrupt. Aoun added that leaders at the dialogue have made certain decisions by consensus that must be implemented “but the government continues to contradict its promises”.

Lebanese leaders agreed in previous roundtable sessions to demarcate borders and establish diplomatic ties with Syria, as well as disarm Palestinian factions outside camps.

Neither of these resolutions has been fulfilled. Aoun made his comments at a press conference he held to explain a draft law he presented to parliament that regulates retirement and old-age pension.

“We all know that since 1963 not one single piece of legislation has been endorsed to fill in the gaps in the old-age pension law. We are very sorry that after 43 years, the [working] class, which is economically deprived in society, does not enjoy all its rights,” Aoun told reporters.

The Christian leader urged all MPs to support the law and help him endorse it, because it falls in everybody’s interests.