AL secretary meets Lebanese officials
Lebanon, Politics, 4/10/1998

Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Thursday made separate telephone calls to Lebanese President Elias Hrawi and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Talks dealt with Arab conditions, peace process developments and the Israeli proposal pertaining to UN resolution 425.

Abdul Meguid left Beirut on Thursday following several-hour visit to Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri discussed with Abdul Meguid developments in the Middle East and the Israeli proposal concerning UN resolution 425.

In a statement to reporters Abdul Meguid described the proposal as an Israeli maneuver aimed at separating the Syrian and Lebanese peace negotiation tracks and at voiding the content of resolution 425. He added that 425 is clear and gives Lebanon the right to liberate its territories. Abdul Meguid stressed AL support for Lebanon's call for unconditional withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon.

He said his visit to Beirut aims at unifying Arab ranks and salvaging the peace process.

For his part, Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said Lebanon's is united in its position concerning UN resolution 425. During his meeting on Thursday with Lebanese journalists in charge of covering south Lebanon news, Berri reiterated Lebanon's categorical rejection of all Israeli conditional proposals.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said that peace in the Middle Mast will be achieved only if Israel withdraws from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to its June 4, 1967 borderline and from south Lebanon and the western Bekaa to internationally recognized borderlines.

In a televised interview on Thursday, Hariri reaffirmed his rejection of all Israeli proposals, including its recent statements on UN resolution 425 saying "These proposals aim at undoing Syrian-Lebanese solidarity and confusing the Lebanese internal front," Hariri said.

Previous Stories:
  Europe' Moratinos: Withdrawal to be from Syria and Lebanon   (4/9/1998)
  Arab League Secretary general arrives in Beirut today   (4/9/1998)
  Israel accuses Syria for Lebanon's position on withdrawal   (4/8/1998)

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