BEIRUT: The National Dialogue should explore ways the Lebanese might benefit from Hezbollah’s arms, President Michel Sleiman said in comments published Sunday, adding that there is a consensus that the Syrian crisis should not be allowed to spill over into Lebanon.

“I have called for dialogue and announced the reason. I said we should gather to discuss a previously proposed national defense strategy that includes the resistance and in which we would discuss the issue of arms,” Sleiman told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

He also said, “There are three dimensions to the issue of arms in Lebanon: the first is to implement what has been approved regarding arms in Palestinian [camps]; the second is to discuss ways to benefit from Hezbollah’s arms, when to use them and for what purpose; and the third is to demilitarize the cities."

For Sleiman, there is no fundamental difference between rival political parties over which items to discuss in national dialogue sessions frozen since 2010, but the manner in which certain items have been proposed was inappropriate.

Earlier this week, Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said his party was open to dialogue, criticizing the March 14 coalition’s conditions stipulating that the only item to be discussed was Hezbollah’s arms.

March 14 politicians have repeatedly urged Hezbollah to disarm, while the resistance party maintains that its arms are the only means to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression.

Last year, Sleiman called for resuscitating the moribund National Dialogue. His calls, along with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s efforts to bridge the gaps between the recalcitrant participants, were to no avail.

“On a weekly basis, I discuss with a group of intellectuals and experts various means by which we might revive the National Dialogue. I am keen on my proposals,” Sleiman said.

Sleiman also touched on recent armed clashes in north Lebanon, which many feared were a manifestation of Syria’s crisis spilling over into Lebanon, saying: “There is a decision not to ratchet up tensions.”

“If Lebanese want to destabilize the country, they can do that. [But] we have the chance and the opportunity to protect this stability and preserve it. It is up to us. We can even prevent the unrest on our border that is affecting us,” Sleiman said.

Last week, clashes erupted in Tripoli between supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. The fighting lasted two days and resulted in the death of four people and the wounding of several others, including soldiers.

Sleiman said that the fact clashes in Tripoli quickly stopped proved that political parties in Lebanon remain intent on preventing the turmoil in Syria from drawing Lebanon into its vortex.

“What I meant by preventing the Syrian situation from affecting Lebanon is that we should prevent it from affecting minorities." He added that, "We should base our thinking on nationality and not minorities."

The president reiterated that, "What I know is that violence should stop and that everyone should engage in dialogue and pursue reforms under favorable conditions."

During his interview with the daily, Sleiman dismissed characterizations of the current government as dominated by one party, pointing out that it includes March 8 and independent ministers.

“With its performance, the government has proven that it does not represent only one side,” he said.

Asked whether he wanted a Lebanese Spring similar to what is happening in Arab countries, Sleiman said: "I am not calling for a Lebanese Spring, but for accountability in all areas -- at polling stations, in the matter of freedom of expression and frank talk, and in confronting officials with the truth."

On the subject of Syria, Sleiman said, "We should let the Syrians determine their destiny."