Lahoud optimism on solving Lebanon's crisis
Lebanon-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/6/2007

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud urged yesterday that the attempts of Iran and Saudi Arabia to mediate in Lebanon's crisis have increased hope for solving the issue.

Lahoud made the statement in a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to Beirut, Abdel-Aziz Khoja. He added that the recent meeting between the Iranian and Saudi heads of state provided an opportunity for reduction of tension and contribution to coming up with a solution to Lebanon's crisis.

Khoja briefed President Lahoud on the outcome of the Saturday meeting between President Ahmadi-Nejad and King Abdullah.
In a separate meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Khoja expounded on the outcome of these talks.

During the meetings, the Saudi diplomat underlined that the outcome of talks and views of the Lebanese are being currently examined in his country, adding that no proper solution to the crisis has been found yet.

He pointed to the present atmosphere as positive and said that all parties are doing their best to come up with a suitable solution to the crisis.

Iran's ambassador to Beirut expressed concern over the obstacles made by US in the way of Lebanese crisis solution and expressed hope that the latest meeting of Iran-Saudi Arabia heads can bring positive outcome in solving the Lebanese problems.

After a meeting with chairman of Lebanon Unity Party Abdul-Rahim Morad on Monday, the Iranian envoy Mohammad-Reza Sheibani said, if the US does not prevent current efforts to solve Lebanese crisis, the Iran-Saudi Arabia efforts will have a positive affect on solving the problems.

He said "The US thinks only about its own and Israeli's interests in the region."

US State Department Sean McCormack laid blame on Iran yesterday saying "Iran has not played a positive role either in the Palestinian areas or in Lebanon or a variety of other places throughout the Middle East."

Head of the Future Bloc in the Lebanese Parliament MP Saad Hariri said there are no reasons for concern over any rapprochement between the US and Syria or Iran, but reiterated that the Lebanese are only worried about continued Syrian interference in their country’s affairs. Hariri was speaking after talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris on Feb 2nd.

At the Elysee Palace, MP Hariri said France and President Chirac are committed to the creation of an international tribunal to try the suspects in Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's assassination, and they do not want to see the results of the recent Paris III international donors conference wasted.

Hariri also expressed optimism that a solution to the crisis in Lebanon will be reached, citing a flurry of regional diplomacy, especially Saudi mediation efforts. He made clear that the approval by Parliament of the tribunal will resolve the crisis, and warned against adopting the court’s establishment under the UN Charter. He pointed out that a majority of MPs seek an extraordinary session of the House to approve the court, but so far President Emile Lahoud has not responded to their demand.

Asked about an upcoming visit of a US State Department official to Damascus, MP Hariri said the only concern is over Syrian interference in Lebanon.

Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri yesterday lauded Iran's role and cooperation in seeking a solution to Lebanon's current crisis.
The speaker said that Iran's role is in line with other attempts underway towards forging national unity in Lebanon and preventing any effort to cause religious unrest.

Berri said that a new scheme for solving the crisis in Lebanon has been brought up, but did not give the details.

Previous Stories:
  Salim al-Hoss visit to Iran after; no specific plan on Lebanon   (2/26/2007)
  Iran urges solution to Lebanese crisis   (1/27/2007)
  Iran not playing chess with US in Lebanon: Larijani   (1/20/2007)
  Mubarak, Saniora discuss Lebanon - Syria problem   (1/25/2006)
  Saudi prince criticizes Jumblatt   (1/23/2006)
  Saudi Arabia has distinguished ties with Syria   (1/5/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search