BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman said Friday he hoped 2012 would bring stability to Lebanon and would be a year of dialogue, praising Lebanon’s role in the United Nations this year.

“Sleiman hoped 2012 would bring happiness and stability to Lebanon and that it would be the year of dialogue and understanding to help productivity in institutions,” Sleiman’s media office quoted him as saying.

He also said that dialogue would preserve stability in the country amid tensions facing the region.

Sleiman has urged lawmakers to relaunch national dialogue in a bid to bridge the gap among rival politicians. Both the March 14 and March 8 alliances have placed conditions on joining any dialogue session.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has also joined Sleiman in his efforts to bring politicians together and discuss critical issues facing the country.

Sleiman also spoke of Lebanon’s experience presiding over the Security Council during the month of September and being a nonpermanent member of the council.

“By the end of this year [2011], Lebanon’s nonpermanent membership at the Security Council will end, which Lebanon has chaired twice between 2010 and 2011,” Sleiman said.

He praised the role played by Lebanon at the international level, adding that many countries have appreciated the efforts.

In September, both Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired U.N. Security Council sessions where both touched upon various regional issues, including Palestinian's bid for membership at the U.N., a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East, events in Syria and the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.