Syria did not receive invitation for any conference on Iraq: redeployment in Lebanon not under foreign pressure

The foreign information officials at the Syrian foreign ministry Butheina Shaaban said that the redeployment process carried out by the Syrian forces in Lebanon was made according to Taif accord. She denied that behind such a step were foreign pressures.

In a press conference held in Damascus, she stressed that Syria is ready to resume negotiations with Israel on the ground of peace references, Madrid conference and the UN resolutions. She renewed denial any exchange of messages with Israel to this effect.

On the other hand, Shaaban stressed that Syria did not receive any invitation to convene a conference for the countries adjoining Iraq to discuss the Iraqi issue, as proposed by Saudi Arabia. She also added that Syria did not receive any request to take part in the UN forces expected to be redeployed in Iraq.