Lebanon stresses strong relations with Syria

Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Ghazi Z'eter said Sunday that the Lebanese people strongly adhere to solidarity and the unity of Syrian-Lebanese track in the face of difficulties and threats.

"The Syrian-Lebanese coherence is the national guarantee of our destiny and track .. we were and still are for the Taif agreement and dialogue .. we will do our best to keep unity with Syria, Palestine, Iraq and all Arab countries," the Lebanese minister added during a speech at the Palestinian Cultural Center in Lebanon.

He considered the UN resolution 1559, regarding foreign forces in Lebanon, as one form of mandate and a foreword to other resolutions.

Former Lebanese MP Tamam Salam, for his part, said Syria is the historical and strategic depth of Lebanon, adding the Syrian presence in Lebanon didn't come about from nothing, but as a result of difficult circumstances.

"Syria played a pivotal role in helping Lebanon preserve its unity, stability and security," Salam said during a press conference on Sunday.

He renewed his country's commitment to the Taif agreement, calling for accelerating investigations into the crime of assassinating former Lebanese Premier Rafic Hariri.