On Berri and Syria
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 11/29/2000

The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus said that Syrian official sources stressed that the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri is Syria's ally and will remain so.

As for the controversy raised by Berri's statements following his meeting with the Maronite patriarch Mar Nasrullah Butrous Sfeir last Friday and the stances released after it from the Syrian and Lebanese sides, the sources stressed that Berri remains an ally to Damascus despite the fact that Damascus has hidden her upset and regret because of Berri's personal initiative as described by Damascus.

The sources considered that Berri made mistakes twice. The first when he talked about a nearby redeployment. A matter which is decided by the presidents of the two states and the second when he gave the impressions that he is authorized to talk on behalf of Damascus to the effect that he can mediate with Patriarch Sfeir. A matter which Damascus will never accept because it is not in need to any mediation for talking with any Lebanese side as Syria always stressed its stances at the same distance from all. Besides that Damascus does not maintain a dialogue with religious references.

The sources added that the two states are maintaining a dialogue through their official establishments and the Syrian- Lebanese higher council. The sources continued that President al-Assad received several Lebanese figures, which means that the dialogue continues but not the way certain sides want it to be.

Previous Stories:
  Syrian forces to be re deployed in Lebanon   (11/27/2000)
  Al-Hariri and Junblat   (11/21/2000)
  On the meeting between Syrian- Lebanese prime ministers   (11/18/2000)

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