BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said National Dialogue among rival politicians is critical to averting repercussions from current events in the region in light of the Arab League’s vote to suspend Syria, adding that such a decision can be redressed.

“The dialogue should be looking at ways to keep the country immune from what is happening on the Arab scene,” Berri told Al-Joumhouria newspaper, expressing concerns of possible repercussions on Lebanon in light of the Arab League's decision.

The regional organization Saturday voted to suspend Syria’s membership in the league over the troubled country’s failure to comply with an Arab League initiative designed to end the eight month crisis. Lebanon voted against the decision, while Iraq abstained.

“The decision taken by the Arab League regarding Syria can be redressed,” Berri told the newspaper, adding that options were still available to do that.

The March 14 coalition, stanch critics of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government, slammed the country’s rejection of the vote, describing it as “shameful.”

“No Arab can forcefully take someone away from their Arabism, [and the same is true] for Syria, the beating heart of Arabism,” Berri added.

Both Mikati and President Michel Sleiman defended Foreign Affairs Minister Adnan Mansour’s vote, with Sleiman saying that isolating a country is dangerous and urging President Bashar Assad to swiftly implement reform.

Berri has began new efforts in hopes of reviving National Dialogue after Sleiman failed to persuade rival leaders to discuss pressing issues facing the country

Lawmakers from March 14 insist that any attempts to resume National Dialogue should include discussion of Hezbollah’s arsenal, while Hezbollah has said that its possession of arms is nonnegotiable and has said the tripartite formula of “the people, the army, and the resistance” is the best means to defend the country.

Meanwhile, Mansour also spoke to Al Joumhouria regarding his vote against the league’s decision, saying that Lebanon would not withdraw its ambassador, as per the Arab League’s suggestion, given that Lebanon already voted against it.

“We are against singling out any Arab country or isolating an Arab country,” Mansour said, echoing Sleiman’s remarks.

He also said that Syria’s security is of great concern to Lebanon given the close ties between the two countries.

“Balance in this country, its stability and security, are an integral part of the balance in Lebanon ... anything that threatens Syria's security will have negative impact on neighboring countries and regional ones,” he added.