Al-Shara meets with UN chief in Havana

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday in Havana at the conferences palace, on the sideline of the meetings of the South summit met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, SANA reported.

The meeting was attended by Syria's permanent representative at the UN, Mikael Wahbah, and the UN assistant secretary general for political affairs. Talks during the meeting dealt with developments in the region and the future of the Middle East peace process.

The UN chief stressed that he is still waiting to receive a written message from the Israeli government expressing its real intention towards withdrawal from south Lebanon. Annan added he will not carry out any step or behavior on this matter after he would be informed about the official Israeli position.

The UN chief also asserted that he will not react to the Israeli request on withdrawal from south Lebanon, unless he would have an official commitment that the withdrawal will be complete and unconditional, in implementation of UN resolution 425.

For his part the foreign minister stressed Syria's unwavering stand and its complete backing for Lebanon under all circumstances and conditions.

Al-Shara also renewed Syria's desire for and commitment to the realization of a just and comprehensive peace in the region in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the land-for-peace formula.

The Syrian foreign minister also stressed to the UN chief that the Israeli government had obstructed the peace process and is putting obstacles against it and that Israel is deliberately trying to foil it by all deception means.

SANA's correspondent stated that the meeting between al-Shara and the UN chief was made at the request of Kofi Annan, currently taking part in the South summit.