Lebanon seeks best relations with Syria: minister
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/10/2005

Lebanese Labor Minister Tarad Hamade said Tuesday that Lebanese government seeks to boost relation with syria and strengthen it in the interest of both states.

"Lebanese government wants best ties with Syria," the Lebanese Minister said in a radio interview, adding that contacts between officials in the two countries are continuing to reach solutions for different mutual issues.

President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon on Tuesday conferred with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on the latest developments in Lebanon and the Middle East. Following the meeting, Siniora expressed satisfaction with the continuation of trucks movement along Syrian-Lebanese borders, adding that consultations between officials in the two states are underway regarding this matter.

Lebanese National News Agency announced Tuesday that the number of trucks passing through al-Dabousiah Lebanese-Syrian border point has increased over the past 36 hours to amount to over than 200 trucks.

The Agency underlined that Lebanese trucks are moving to the Syrian lands "contrary to what is being circulated by some Lebanese media." "Acceleration in the trucks' passing process is a positive initiative and was expected," the Agency quoted some drivers.

It also underscored that the increase in the number of buses at border crossing points is due to the flow of trucks loaded with goods from different Lebanese ports.

Syrian Director of Customs, Bassel Sannoufa announced yesterday that Syrian and Lebanese customs officials are to discuss tomorrow measures to surmount difficulties at border crossing points between the two states.

In a statement to SANA, Sannoufa pointed out that the meeting "is to deal with proposals to ease pressure at Aboudiah customs and to facilitate traffic on both sides as well as to overcome difficulties at other border crossing points between the two countries." The meeting which is due today in Jdaidat Yabous crossing point with Lebanon is to be attended by Secretary General of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council Nassri al-Khouri.

Siniora, during another meeting with Chairman of the Media National Council Abdulhadi Mahfouz said that "Lebanon and Syria are one issue," adding that relations between the two states are based on boosting ties in light of mutual respect. He underlined that "Lebanon will not be an enemy to Syria."

There are some people who seek to harm Syrian-Lebanese relations, and we regret that some Lebanese are facilitating this plan, Former Lebanese Minister and Chairman of the Democratic Party Talal Arslan said.

"The most important thing is to rebuild confidence through the restoration of the political links with Damascus on the basis of the great options, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict, restoring channels of the communication quickly in a rational and objective way," Arslan told Syrian Teshreen daily in statements published Tuesday.

He added that the rational media in both state should contribute in encouraging and supporting this communication.

.Arslan denounced foreign intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs, particularly the intervention in the Lebanese resistance which constituted a natural right for all peoples to achieve liberation and get ride of the occupation.

The former Minister stressed that the national reconciliation in Lebanon must be comprehensive for the interest of the stability and security of the country.

Previous Stories:
  Abou Ajawi: Jdaydet Yabous border crossing problems solved   (8/9/2005)
  Qabalan underlines Syrian-Lebanese fraternal relation   (8/8/2005)
  Syria and Lebanon agree to improve borders crossing   (8/6/2005)
  Syria underlines borders with Lebanon have not been closed   (8/4/2005)

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