Al-Shara in Beirut to convey a message from al-Assad to Lahoud
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/3/2000

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Sunday at Baabda Presidential palace received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara, who delivered him a message from Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.

During the meeting, the Lebanese president said that Syria and Lebanon are keen on developing their joint coordination as an embodiment of the deep relations between them.

The Lebanese president also stressed the two states' commitment to the principle of complete withdrawal from south Lebanon, the West Bank and the Golan as well as to reaching a solution concerning the issue of the Palestinian refugees.

After his meeting with President Lahoud, al-Shara told reporters at the Lebanese Baabda presidential palace: "I have conveyed a message to President Lahoud from his brother, President Hafez al-Assad, pertaining to the outcome of Geneva summit between President al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton."

The Syrian foreign minister continued that during his meeting with President Lahoud, consultations were made and views exchanged on developments in the region, especially in connection to the peace process. He stated that the base of consultation and exchange of views between Syria and Lebanon is always the unwavering confidence between the Syrian and Lebanese leaderships, governments and peoples. It is common ties of history, geography and interests, and basically looking forward in a united vision towards the future of the peace process in the region, he said.

He continued that Lebanon and Syrian want a just and comprehensive peace in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the land-for-peace formula.

The Syrian foreign minister asserted that Israel's attempt to play on the tracks, whether it is the Syrian-Lebanese or Palestinian and Syrian track will be a fiasco. "It will not succeed and (we) will not be put in a corner. We cling to our complete rights," he said, adding that the Syrian and Lebanese position is in the interest of all, in the interest of the peace process and in the interest of security, stability and prosperity of the region.

He expressed his conviction that it is wrong to make statements in a "non-peaceful" direction, stressing, "We want to push things towards just and comprehensive peace in the region" (this was in reference to the statement made by the Lebanese defense minister on redeploying Syrian troops in south Lebanon following the Israeli withdrawal from it).

The Syrian foreign minister was asked where the US-Israeli pressures will be and if he expects a war. He replied: "We do not expect war and we do not want a war. Talking about war is a mistake because we are speaking about peace, the international legitimacy resolutions and the need of Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon and the western Bekaa beyond the internationally recognized borders and Israel's complete withdrawal from the Golan to June 4, 1967 lines in the framework of a comprehensive peace settlement."

Later in the day, al-Shara arrived in Damascus following a one-day visit to Lebanon.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Hoss in Damascus on Monday   (4/1/2000)
  Two days before Geneva summit, Syrian military delegation in Beirut   (3/25/2000)
  Al-Hoss, al-Shara talks on al-Assad - Clinton summit   (3/23/2000)

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