Syrian, Iranian FMs review developments in the region
Syria-Iran, Politics, 6/28/1999

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Sunday received Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi.

The two ministers and members of the two delegations reviewed developments of events in the region, particularly the recent Israeli attacks against Lebanon. They voiced their condemnation of these attacks, as well as adherence to the April Understanding Monitoring Committee.

Talks dealt with the Middle East peace process in light of the Israeli escalation. In this regard, the FM stressed principles and commitment to obligations reached during former peace talks, foremost being the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights to the June 4, 1967 border lines and unity between the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, especially regarding Israel's unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian minister arrived in Damascus in a state visit to Syria.

In an arrival statement to SANA, the Iranian FM said: "Due to the developments in Lebanon as a result of the Israeli barbarous acts of aggression, talks with our Syrian brothers will deal with the current conditions in Lebanon."

The Iranian FM added that the situation in the area following the change of the Israeli government will be also discussed. He said that with the advent of the conference of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, views have been exchanged with "our brothers in Syria in order to take and coordinate common stances."

The Iranian FM said fates of Iran, Syria and Lebanon are linked to each other in politics. "On this ground, there is a need to have a dialogue conducted regularly to coordinate our viewpoints concerning affairs in the region."

Replying a question on the kind of assistance which Iran can offer to Lebanon, the Iranian FM said: "A team from the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Communications arrived in Damascus and will head to Lebanon to study what they can do to rebuild what was destroyed as a result of the Israeli air strikes, especially on bridges."

Answering another question on the Syrian position towards the recent Israeli attacks against Lebanon, Syrian FM Farouk al-Sharaa said: "We strongly condemn and denounce these aggressions. We view Israel as responsible for the destruction and the killing of innocent civilians in Lebanon. We back our brothers in Lebanon to challenge any possible aggression. Simultaneously, we stress that the recent Israeli aggression against Lebanon constitutes a violation of the April Understanding."

He added, "Israel should honor this understanding and agreement because it is obliged to be committed to it until the agreement or the understanding is replaced by another one."

Replying to a question on whether these recent developments may affect the resumption of peace talks, al-Sharaa said: "Launching these savage aggressions on Lebanon by the defeated government of Benjamin Netanyahu aims to foil any possibility of establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the region."

Replying to a question on whether the forthcoming OIC conference will back Lebanon, al-Sharaa said: "We believe the OIC conference, which will be held during the next few days, will adopt a strong decision condemning the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. It will call for the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the occupied Arab territories and for the implementation of UN resolutions pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict."

Previous Stories:
  Damascus starts paying Iranian debts   (6/23/1999)
  Syrian official: We want Barak's reply, if he adopts Rabin's policy, or not   (6/22/1999)
  A US work paper and the ME peace negotiations   (6/19/1999)
  Lahoud receives Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi   (6/19/1999)

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