Lahoud outlines Lebanon's position on ME developments
Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 5/25/2004

President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon on Monday lashed out at the U.S. sanctions imposed on his neighboring state Syria, describing the move as a bid by Washington to placate its Middle East ally Israel as the American presidential election was nearing.

"Those American sanctions and pressures put to Syria will have no effect on Syria's stance or the policy of constructive dialogue it has pursued for years," President Lahoud told a visiting delegation of the Washington-based American Task Force For Lebanon ( ATFL ) and the U.S. Congress Personnel.

Lahoud added that his country and Syria were "bound by fraternal tiesÉSyria has a key role in the stability and security in Lebanon." The Lebanese President held Israel's Ariel Sharon responsible for rebuffing all endeavors and initiatives submitted so far for resolving the Palestinian issue, branding latest Israeli attacks on Palestinian cities and villages as a "continued war of extermination against the Palestinians and their infrastructure." He reiterated the Arabs were still committed to just and comprehensive peace as stated by the UN Security Council resolutions, including Palestinians' right to return home and establish an independent state.

On Iraq, President Lahoud said the UN should be given the task of restoring stability and peace to the country and keeping its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He saw that maintaining the status quo in Iraq would further aggravate the already tense situation there.

Previous Stories:
  Lahoud and peace in the Middle East   (4/30/2004)
  Berri, Moussa statements on the Arab summit   (4/21/2004)
  Lebanese Minister calls for unification of Arab ranks   (4/6/2004)

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