Lebanese president underlines distinguished relations with Syria

President Emil Lahoud of Lebanon said the distinguished relations with Syria will be clearer and stronger in the future, pointing out that those who reject the Syrian presence now "were the most who had benefited from such a relation."

In a meeting with Chief of Editors, Milhem Karam, Saturday, Lahoud warned against the dangerous current situation, saying "any small or simple incident could lead to a catastrophe." Lahoud described Hariri's assassination as an attempt to incite sedition, insisting that it was in the state's interest to find the perpetrators as soon as possible.

He also called on all the Lebanese parties to join a national unity government under Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami, saying "our national strength lies in our unity." Lahoud said he believes U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon, was prepared for last June, saying Isarel was the main drive behind this resolution.

He also warned that disarming the Lebanese resistance is an Israeli demand, asserting Lebanon's rejection of this call. "Liberation was thanks for the resistance, Syria's support, and the people's rally around resistance and the army." The president reiterated rejection to abandon even one inch of Lebanon's territories despite all pressures put on the country, warning against settling the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon since it represents a problem for both sides.