A Lebanese view on Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
Lebanon, Politics, 4/28/2000

In its Wednesday editorial published by Sarkis Naoum, the Lebanese daily al-Nahar said that those who recently called for the pullout of the Syrian forces from Lebanon, being residents in Lebanon or outside it, have committed a grave mistake for several reasons, mainly their being in a hurry in demanding this step, as Israel has not yet withdrawn according to UN resolution 425, after which Lebanon can call for the implementation of UN resolution 520 which calls for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon.

The editorial added that those who called for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces also made a deadly mistake because they have dealt with both Syria and Israel in one criterion. He said that Israel, since its establishment in 1948, has been an enemy against Lebanon while Syria is a sisterly neighboring country and entered Lebanon in a different way and its being in Lebanon was a result of several matters: the Syrian presence in Lebanon is at the request of the legitimate Lebanese authorities, it has the consent of the US to be in Lebanon as well as that of Israel, and all these have legalized the Syrian presence in Lebanon and given it a declared Arab and international legitimacy since the al-Taif accord in 1989.

The paper added that those were also mistaken because the timing of demanding the Syrian withdrawal is harming to Syria as this call has coincided with the Syrian track reaching a deadlock. It said the implementation of such a pullout at the present might lead to weakening the Syrian position in the peaceful and military conflict with Israel.

The paper added Israel's expected withdrawal from south Lebanon would not be made without the sacrifices of the Lebanese resistance forces, backed and protected by Syria since their launch in 1982.

The paper continued that those demanding Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon are also mistaken because of their ignorance about the international position, especially the US which has decided that dealing with Syria directly about all issues is the best way. Major world states and several Arab states have the same position as the US toward Syria.

The editorial concluded by saying in his editorial that those were also mistaken for their ignorance of the internal situation in Lebanon, as most of those who demand the withdrawal of the Syrian forces are Christians who think that Muslims in Lebanon back them in their position but could not say that openly.

However, Naoum added those who call for the Syrian pullout have to realize when things are serious they will stay alone to have the reaction to their position concerning this pullout.

Previous Stories:
  UN special envoy visits Middle East   (4/27/2000)
  Israeli paper and withdrawal from south Lebanon   (4/27/2000)
  Al-Shara conveys a message from al-Assad to Lahoud   (4/25/2000)

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