Syria, Lebanon to maintain good relations based on mutual respect
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 8/1/2005

Syria and Lebanon stressed on Sunday commitment to work to build Syrian-Lebanese relations based on mutual respect, away from anything that could affect these relations.

In a joint statement at the end of Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora's visit to Syria, both sides underlined "the necessity of putting joint interests on the top of priorities, through finding active institutions, clear bases, dynamic councils and organizations that will work to meet hopes and aspirations of the two sisterly countries and peoples."

The statement expressed the Syrian side welcome of the new Lebanese government's statement regarding "Lebanon's commitment not to become a passage or base for any organization, power or country that targets its security or that of Syria, in assertion that Lebanon's security is part of Syria's security."

Both sides, in the joint statement, stressed "the importance of coordination between them regarding political issues, particularly issue of the Arab-Israeli conflict, based on their joint confidence that stability in the region will not be achieved with continuation of the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories."

Earlier, in a joint press conference with Siniora, Prime Minister Naji Otari said "What Syria asks for is the security and stability in Lebanon. It is an important and strategic requirement of the national security in Syria, both countries' security is one." Otari added that "some issues pertaining to the border passageways were resolved, and soon it will be reflected on the ground, through the flow of goods and individuals between the two sisterly countries."

"We welcome Siniora visit which comes in light of the distinguished ties between both countries that Syria had exerted all capabilities and energies to keep those relations," Otari told reporters.

Premier Otari referred to the ministerial statement of Siniora's government, which won a confidence vote in parliament, expressing best wishes for this government to succeed in translating its statement for the interest of the two states and peoples. For his part, Siniora stressed that his government's statement respects all agreements and charters signed with Syria.

"What connects Syria and Lebanon of historical and future relations requires work in favor of those relations." Siniora said indicating the significance of exerting true efforts to attain interests of the two "sisterly" states and peoples, and to surmount all obstacles in order to improve the relations and putting them on the correct path.

On the future relations between Syria and Lebanon, Siniora emphasized Lebanon's commitment not to become a passage or base for any hostile action that targets Syria. Siniora, described talks with President Bashar al-Assad and Otari as "very good and frank," and that both sides reaffirmed commitment to work to build Syrian-Lebanese relations based on mutual interest and respect.

"Both sides referred to the importance of measures that should be taken to keep ties proper and good, and to take into consideration the interests of both sides," Siniora said during the press conference.

He added that during the talks, both sides agreed to continue meetings, activate committees' work to evaluate this relation objectively, and to take necessary procedures to boost bilateral relations. "Both sides agreed to smooth the crossing of trucks, goods, and persons as soon as possible to get the movement between both countries back to normal, and to boost land crossing points in a way where goods movement runs in an effective manner," Siniora said.

He concluded that after the visit and his meeting with President al-Assad, he will go back to Lebanon "satisfied" with what should be taken to boost these relations based on mutual good ties between both states in the interest of both peoples.

Later, Siniora left Damascus evening where he was seen off at the Syrian-Lebanese border by State Minister for the Red Crescent Affairs and Secretary General of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council, Nasri Khouri.

Previous Stories:
  Siniora in Damascus on Sunday   (7/30/2005)
  Lebanese officials underline good relations with Syria   (7/29/2005)
  Lebanese premier stresses distinguished relations with syria   (7/28/2005)

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