Lebanon has begun preparations for the Sept. 16 dialogue – this time with a rectangular and not roundtable setting for the participants of the 14 political groups in an effort to resolve deep differences, particularly over the defense strategy.

President Michel Suleiman has begun conveying invitations to the leaders who will take part in the national dialogue set to begin at Baabda Palace next Tuesday.

News reports on Saturday said Tuesday's session which is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am will be limited to the opening statement by Suleiman, who chairs the dialogue.

Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who was invited by Suleiman, is expected to attend the conference which will tackle a single controversial issue – the defense strategy, the daily As Safir reported Saturday, "unless the participants agreed to include other topics."

Al Anwar newspaper, meanwhile, said Suleiman aims at bringing the various points of view closer in order to reach a "comprehensive formula" regarding the defense strategy.

The dialogue table, according to several media reports, will be rectangular, and not round like the one used in previous national talks, since Suleiman will be chairing the conference.

National dialogue, which was first launched in March 2006, was interrupted following Israel's war on Lebanon in July-August the same year.