After meeting Powell, Lahoud holds Israel responsible for deteriorations
Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/16/2002

The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has called on the US on the need of viewing objectively the situation in the region and not to be affected by the pressures made by Israel which shoulders the responsibility for the deterioration taking place because of its obstruction of all peaceful efforts to implement international legitimacy resolutions.

In a joint press conference he held on Monday in Beirut with the US secretary of state Collin Powell, The Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hamoud said that President Lahoud stressed during his meeting with Powell that resistance and the Intifada are the only way to make Israel abide by the implementation of the international resolutions which call on Israel to fully withdraw from all occupied Arab territories. He said that the Lebanese national resistance forced Israel after 22 years to implement the greater part of UN resolution 425.

Lahoud called on the US not to be affected by the Israeli claims and stances which try to show the legitimate Lebanese national resistance operations against the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Shebaa farms as terrorist acts.

He stressed the importance that the US view the Middle East problem comprehensively especially the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that will ensure rights and guarantees for all.

The Lebanese president called on Powell for the US to revive the peace process, according to international legitimacy resolutions, which demand Israel to pullout from the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that the policy of aggression pursued by Israel will not attain a result.

Lahoud explained to Powell that "the resolutions of the recent Arab summit in Beirut have ensured an opportunity for the US and the peace loving countries to benefit from them and not enabling Israel from completing its scheme into striking the peace process."

The Lebanese foreign minister described President Lahoud's talks with Powell as comprehensive and constructive and dealt with developments taking place in the region in light of the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

He said that discussions also dealt with the situation in south Lebanon.

For his part, Powell said he is visiting Lebanon for the first time amid difficult conditions the region is passing, stressing his talks with President Lahoud were very good.

Powell praised the Arab peace initiative adopted by the Beirut's Arab summit. He said that President Bush takes part in this vision towards achieving comprehensive peace in the region, including Lebanon and Syria.

Powell called for halting the Israeli invasions of the Palestinian territories and for the suspension of what he called violence and terrorism. He called on the Palestinian authority to exert all efforts in order to stop the operations against the Israelis, stressing the need of proceeding forward to start the political operation.

On the situation on the Lebanese borders, Powell expressed the concern of the US administration towards the development of conditions there and the possibility of its expansion. He said that it is very important that all sides committed to peace to halt violence on the border. he said "We address this message to all governments in the region."

Previous Stories:
  Demonstrations to receive Powell in Beirut and then in Damascus; Lahoud rejects security guarantees   (4/15/2002)
  Powell conveys a warning to halt Hizbullah attacks   (4/10/2002)
  Lahoud gets a message from Powell on conditions in south Lebanon   (4/8/2002)

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