Lahoud receives a message from al-Assad, conveyed by al-Shara
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 11/28/2001

Lebanese President Emil Lahoud at Baabda palace on Tuesday received the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara. The meeting was attended by the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih al-Berri, the prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri and the foreign minister Mahmoud al-Hammoud.

Al-Shara handed a message from President Bashar al-Assad to President Lahoud.

Discussions dealt with latest developments in the region and on the Arab and international arenas and bilateral relations between the two countries.

On Tuesday afternoon al-Shara held a press conference at Baabda palace in the presence of Hammoud in which he answered questions put by journalists.

Al-Shara said that the aim of his visit is to hand over a message from President al-Assad to President Lahoud, noting that this message falls in the course of continued consultation and co-ordination between Syria and Lebanon.

Al-Shara added that lengthy discussions were held during the meeting on what is taking place in the region and on the international arena and also what is of concern for Syria and Lebanon amid these developments.

View points were identical regarding all issues which is a positive indicator that guarantees stability for the two countries and for the region in general.

Al-Shara added that the demands of Syria and Lebanon concerning the peace process are known. They are the restoration of all occupied Arab lands and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.

Al-Shara added concerning the international conditions that Syria and Lebanon are coordinating all steps that might be taken to fighting terrorism and in the attempt to make a distinction between legitimate resistance against the Israeli occupation. Terrorism is terrorism and resistance is resistance and " we do think that the country which does not make a distinction between terrorism and resistance may finds itself giving a political cover to real terrorists.

Al-Shara continued that what happened on September 11 was terrorism and what is taking place against the Israeli occupation is resistance and this matter is agreed upon between Syria and Lebanon and all the Arab states in the Arab summits and in the terrorism- fighting agreement which was concluded by the ministers of the interior and justice.

Replying to a question on how Syria and Lebanon face the American and European pressures in order to cease resistance in South Lebanon, the Syrian foreign minister said " we do not see actual pressures in the real sense because we have explained clearly our position to the US and we agreed that this difference of view points can be discussed in order to define terrorism."

Al-Shara was asked on the American vision towards the peace process in the region and he indicated that there are positive points in this American vision, including ending the Israeli occupation and implement UN Security Council resolutions concerned, the land for peace formula and the Madrid terms of reference.

Al-Shara continued that there are several question marks on the border of the Palestinian state and the extent of this state's independence upon its foundation and the capital of such a state and other issues over which we exchange views. He added that there are also consultations between the Syrian and Lebanese governments and the Arab " brothers."

On the existence of a Syrian- Lebanese move concerning the UN resolution 1373 al-Shara said " Naturally there is continued co-ordination regarding this resolution and that there is also co-ordination towards any resolution issued by the US, noting this very resolution is need of identifying terrorism in the first place.

Replying to a question on the possibility of targeting certain Arab states after Afghanistan, al-Shara said that threatening any Arab country is rejected and striking any Arab country will bring in unlimited problems. He explained " America knows that as well as Europe and I think it is a deadly mistake to strike any Arab country."

Al-Shara and members of the accompanying delegation arrived in Beirut on Tuesday afternoon in a visit to Lebanon. He was welcomed by his Lebanese peer Mahmoud Hammoud. In the evening al-Shara and his companions returned back to Damascus and were seen off by minister Hammoud and high ranking Lebanon officials.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara visits Beirut today   (11/26/2001)
  Al-Assad congratulates Lahoud on Lebanon's national day   (11/22/2001)
  Al-Assad reviews with al-Hariri international conditions, reflections on Syria, Lebanon   (11/8/2001)

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