Lebanon refutes Israeli allegations on unilateral withdrawal
Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 4/7/2000

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Thursday received a telephone call from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in which Annan expressed his interest in reaching a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Annan stressed great concern for Lebanon and the need for continued consultations, especially amid such sensitive conditions.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, has asked the UN special coordinator on the Middle East peace process, Terry Larson, to convey a "verbal message" to the UN chief in which he stressed the concerns of the Lebanese people, the same of the UN on the implementation of UN resolution 425.

During his meeting with Larson, Berri underlined the importance that the UN side understand the Lebanese position.

Berri stressed that the Lebanese position regarding Israel is clear towards Israel's decision to unconditionally withdraw from south Lebanon.

Berri added that if there are conditions for this withdrawal, we have to be "careful not to be trapped by Israel."

Following the meeting, Larson said that Annan will not take any official measures before he is officially informed the stand of the Israeli government on the possible Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, according to UN resolution 425.

Larson added it is premature to comment on this issue at the present.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Minister of Information Anwar al-Khalil stressed Lebanon's commitment to cohesion between the Syrian and Lebanese tracks in the Middle East peace process. He added, "It is ripe time for Israel to definitely obstinate the attempts to single out Lebanon and to dismember the Syrian and Lebanese tracks." He stressed that complete withdrawal from the occupied Golan is a duty that Israel has to fulfill according to UN resolutions 242, 338 and 425.

The Lebanese minister refuted the reality of the schemes the Israeli government tries to market on its alleged withdrawal from south Lebanon, saying that despite its repeated talks on pullout from south Lebanon, Israel has not admitted yet that the content of UN resolution 425 provides for immediate and unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Previous Stories:
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  Annan, Levy meet on south Lebanon   (4/5/2000)
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