BBC: Dakhlallah: Syria has no opponents, no supporters in Lebanon
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/21/2005

The Syrian minister of information Mahdi Dakhllah on Monday evening refused to describe members of the "al-Mustaqbal trend" who won the elections in north Lebanon as standing against Syria.

He said in a statement to the BBC radio "this is not precise, Syria supports the will of the Lebanese people, whatsoever, and does not consider there is a supporter or an opponent, as far as the wish of the people of Lebanon is the decisive element."

Replying to a question to that the Saad al-Hariri list raised slogan opposing the Syrian presence in Lebanon, Dakhlallah said "this is not accurate. Syria is no longer in Lebanon and most of the Lebanese know that such a presence ended after the return back of the Syrian soldiers to their homeland." Dakhlallah considered that the relation between Damascus and Beirut "will be changing in the coming phase to the better," noting that "relations between the two countries are based on geography, history, culture and family kinship."

Concerning the file of diplomatic representation between Syria and Lebanon, the Syrian minister indicated that Damascus is with the will of all Lebanese people. There are relations which are much higher than diplomatic representation which is considered as a symbolic matter," considering that this issue "is decided by the will of the two countries on the ground that there are two legislative authorities in Syria and Lebanon that decided the shape of their bilateral relations."

Previous Stories:
  Sfeir calls for best relations with Syria   (6/15/2005)
  Al-Raya: Lahoud: Syria is natural extension of Lebanon   (6/14/2005)
  Junblat: all Lebanese opposition are targeted   (6/11/2005)

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