Nasserites to join forces with Hizbullah, FPM

Source: Daily Star, 06-5-2006
SIDON: The Popular Nasserite Organization (PNO) and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) called on Friday for a gathering on May 13 here to discuss the memorandum of understanding between the FPM and Hizbullah. This would be the first FPM initiative in Sidon, where the Hariri family is the most influential political force.
FPM leader Michel Aoun`s past criticisms of the March 14 Forces and MP Saad Hariri generated political bickering that may have contributed the FPM`s move to ally itself with the PNO, Hariri`s rival here.
By holding the gathering in Sidon, a prominently Sunni city, analysts say the FPM is seeking to prove the comprehensiveness of its national policy and garner support across the religious spectrum, including Christian communities in eastern Sidon and coastal Jezzine.
PNO member Khaled Ghourabi said the gathering will help consolidate support in those areas, alluding to the popularity of rival parties such as Hariri`s Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces, which enjoy large Christian support in eastern Sidon.
However, PNO officials believe that the joint invitation is only a show of cooperation by the committees that were formed by both sides more than two months ago to work out a "joint political working paper."
Ghourabi said that the latest memorandum of understanding formed common ground to achieve similar goals, despite points of disagreement "which can be settled on the basis of one`s right to be different."
The committees will be chaired by Pierre Raffoul on behalf of the FPM and Tawfiq Osseiran on behalf of the PNO, according to officials on both sides.