Final statement of tripartite agreement stresses agreement on various debated issues
Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/5/2000

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Thursday afternoon concluded their three-way meeting in Palmyra.

The three foreign ministers held a press conference at the conclusion of their meeting.

At the beginning of the conference al-Shara expressed thanks to reporters who relentlessly followed the events of the meetings of the three ministers. He added, "We have reached good results, and our views were identical on all debated issues."

The statement rejected any pretext claimed by Israel on holding Lebanon and Syria responsible for any security incidents that would threaten peace and security in the region.

The statement also stressed the need to foil all attempts aimed at making a split in the Lebanese- Syrian relations or to destabilize Lebanese's internal situation.

In their final statement, the three ministers indicated that they had agreed to continue follow-up and consultations.

At the beginning of the press conference, al-Shara read the text of the statement issued by the meetings of the foreign ministers:

After reviewing developments in the region, the current status of the Middle East peace process on all tracks, especially on the Syrian- Lebanese track, and following consultations with the Lebanese government and informing it with the interventions of the three ministers and the results of their meeting in following up what had been agreed on in the decision of the Arab foreign ministers released in Beirut on March 11, 2000, the following are agreed

-1 An Arab emphasis on strategic option for peace according to the Madrid formula, the international legitimacy resolutions 242 and 338 and the land-for-peace formula. In this respect, the ministers expressed their backing for Syria's commitment and her readiness to provide a success for the peace process so as to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

-2 The need to have the withdrawal from south Lebanon and the western Bekaa complete and comprehensive, covering the sea, the land and the airspace to the internationally-recognized borders, and unconditionally, according to UN resolutions 425 and 426.

-3 The need of the UN having its due role according to the provisions of the aforesaid resolutions (425, 426), through enabling UNIFIL to carry out assigned security tasks, and thereby any pretext claimed by Israel will be foiled in holding Lebanon and Syrian responsible for any security events might take place and threaten security, peace and stability in the region.

-4 The ministers stress solidarity with the Lebanese and Syrian peoples and eliminating any attempt made to undermine this relations or the internal stability in Lebanon.

-5 The ministers stress their backing to the unwavering Syrian position that provides for Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Golan until June 4, 1967, according to Madrid's terms of reference, the land for peace formula and the implementation of UN security Council resolutions 242 and 338. They also hold Israel responsible for the deadlock on this track.

-6 The ministers stress the need of the Palestinian people to restore all their national legitimate rights, according to Madrid terms of reference and the UN resolutions concerned especially their right to establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as a capital.

-7 The ministers also assure that security in the region will not be attainable except under a just and comprehensive peace and call on the Middle East peace cosponsors and the European Union and all sides backing the peace process to intensify their efforts towards attaining this goal.

-8 The ministers agreed to continue consultations and to follow up the course of events.

Replying to a question, al-Shara stressed Syria's unwavering stand concerning the UN role and its resolutions and care to ensure security and stability in the region, saying, "At any time Syria has been always with the international legitimacy resolutions and the UN and with its exerted efforts to ensure the required peace and security."

Meanwhile, Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss received a telephone call from al-Shara in which he was briefed on the atmospheres of the meetings held in Palmyra between the foreign ministers of Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Al-Shara's conveyed to al-Hoss the unanimous stand of the three ministers to fully back Lebanon's official stand regarding current regional developments.

Later, al-Hoss briefed Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on the content of the telephone call and the topics it dealt with.

On Thursday afternoon, the Saudi and Egyptian foreign ministers left Palmyra following a two-day visit to Syria.

At Palmyra's airport they were seen off by Foreign Minister al-Shara, senior Foreign Ministry officials, and the Saudi and Egyptian ambassadors in Damascus.

Previous Stories:
  Syrian, Egyptian, Saudi FMs meet today in Palmyra   (5/3/2000)
  Report: Tripartite meeting for Syrian, Egyptian, Saudi FMs in Damascus   (4/29/2000)
  Lebanon completes preparations for hosting Arab foreign ministers conference   (3/10/2000)

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