BEIRUT: A delegation of March 14 Beirut MPs visited President Michel Sleiman Wednesday, kicking off efforts to achieve the coalition’s long-standing demand for an arms-free capital, a goal which Sleiman described as “important,” according to a lawmaker who attended the meeting.

“He [Sleiman] was responsive and aware that the issue is not easy but that we should keep working on it in order to achieve it,” MP Mohammad Qabbani told The Daily Star. “He considers this matter important and we should make all contacts with politicians and security officials [to achieve this goal].”

“The president asked us to inform him of the results of contacts that we’re making,” he added.

March 14 Beirut MPs held the Cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Mikati responsible Monday for recent security incidents in Beirut, after they gathered at Parliament to discuss measures to an arms-free capital.

They decided to send delegations of lawmakers to Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Mikati as a first measure toward achieving a de-militarized Greater Beirut.

Two men were wounded last week when a dispute over a parking lot developed into a gunfight in the west Beirut neighborhood of Zeidanieh. Following the exchange, local gunmen deployed in the area.

The incident came shortly after armed clashes reportedly broke out in the Beirut neighborhood of Burj Abi Haidar, though it was denied by the Lebanese Army.

The visiting delegation included MPs Qabbani, Tammam Salam, Atef Majdalani, Sebouh Kalpakian, Nadim Gemayel and Michel Pharaon.

Qabbani said that anyone who carried or used arms in the capital apart from legitimate state forces should be held accountable.

Future MPs began campaigning for a “de-militarized” Beirut last year following armed clashes between Hezbollah and gunmen from the Association of the Islamic Charitable Projects which left three people dead in Burj Abi Haidar.