Syrian foreign ministry statement on resolution no. 1559

"Extension in term of President Emil Lahoud of Lebanon is not a reason for the American and French move to issue the UN resolution No. 1559," a senior official at the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The source ratified what had been said by French sides and Lebanese opposition that the extension in term of the Lebanese President pushed both sides to issue resolution 1559, pointing out that Presidents Chirac and Bush agreed to issue the resolution that calls for the Syrian forces withdrawal from Lebanon three months before the extension.