Siniora stresses friendly ties with Iran, Syria
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 12/16/2006

Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora stressed yesterday evening Lebanon's friendly ties with Iran and Syria, saying Beirut had no enemy but the Israeli regime.

Siniora, who is currently in Russia to hold talks with senior Russian officials, made the remarks during a press conference in which he dismissed the possibility of disarming the Hizbullah of Lebanon.

"As long as the Shabaa Farms are held by Israeli occupying forces, it will be impossible to talk about disarming the Hizbullah," the prime minister said.

The Shabaa Farms is a triangular border area sandwiched between Lebanon, Syria and that is occupied by Israel. Stressing that the farmlands originally belonged to Lebanon, the Lebanese government and Hizbullah say they will fight to regain sovereignty over the farmlands.

Asked to comment on the protest demonstrations that has been going on in Beirut to topple his government, the premier said he believed the dispute should be solved through negotiations.

He said his government has offered to hold talks with Hizbullah and other Lebanese parties to resolve the issue of his cabinet's legitimacy. Hizbullah has been calling on Siniora to resign.

Meantime, Leaders of the 25-member European Union yesterday voiced concern by the deterioration of the situation in Lebanon, and underlined its determination to reinforce Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

"A solution to the current political deadlock should be sought only through dialogue and with full respect for the democratic institutions of the country," noted the conclusions on Lebanon.

Meantime, Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad-Reza Sheibani said that Iran supports any consensus among the Lebanese for settlement of their political crisis. Sheibani condemned stances and comments by some Lebanese officials that current political crisis in the country is religious.

He said, "The present crisis is only political and has nothing to do with the religious and ethnic issues." The diplomat underlined unity among the Lebanese nation as the key to the ongoing problems and crisis.

"Emphasizing that unity among the Lebanese is the breakthrough to problems and a way out of the ongoing crisis, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the key to present conditions lies in the hands of the country's officials and people and they are powerful and politically mature enough to handle them." Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad-Reza Sheibani said that Iran supports any consensus among the Lebanese for settlement of their political crisis.

On Thursday, Sheibani condemned stances and comments by some Lebanese officials that current political crisis in the country is religious.

He said, "The present crisis is only political and has nothing to do with the religious and ethnic issues." The diplomat underlined unity among the Lebanese nation as the key to the ongoing problems and crisis.

"Emphasizing that unity among the Lebanese is the breakthrough to problems and a way out of the ongoing crisis, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the key to present conditions lies in the hands of the country's officials and people and they are powerful and politically mature enough to handle them."

Meantime, Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Hariri urged unity and solidarity with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in the face of a campaign that aims at toppling the government and destroy the country. He also warned against internal divisions and vowed that those who killed Prime Minister Rafic Hariri will stand trial and that justice will be served regardless of how senior the perpetrators are.

Previous Stories:
  Lebanese politicians start accusations while calling for dialog   (12/9/2006)
  Iran: support to Lebanon's welfare, independence   (12/9/2006)
  Hizbullah demonstrations, Lebanon government talks stand still   (12/2/2006)
  Lebanese minister's assassination renew Syria diplomatic ties issue   (11/27/2006)
  Lebanese army man sues former Syrian officials   (11/18/2006)
  Hariri and the US support to Lebanon   (11/18/2006)
  Ahmadi-Nejad meets Berri: some want discord among Lebanese   (11/13/2006)
  Iran, Lebanon discuss rebuilding damaged areas   (10/6/2006)
  Islamic, Arabic states vow to establish truce between Israel, Lebanon   (8/3/2006)
  Hariri condemns Nasrallah supporters reactions   (6/3/2006)

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