Al-Shara: Syria is keen to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty, independence

Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara stressed that Syria is more keen on the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon than any other party.

He was quoted as saying in an interview with LBC Lebanese TV satellite station from Algeria overnight that the situation "would end up for the best benefit of Lebanon and the aspirations of all the Lebanese through common grounds to maintain the country's unity, independence and its historic distinguished relations between Lebanon and Syria."

He added that Syria fully supports the Lebanese national accord and believes that the 1989 Taif Agreement on Lebanon, which Syria has been implementing, represents real aspirations for the Lebanese. "We are looking for real fraternal relations on equal part with the Lebanese ... where every side respects the other," he said.

Al-Shara said Hizbollah Party is an internal Lebanese affair "because it is a Lebanese party that came from the very tissues of the Lebanese society and embodied the sacrifices of the Lebanese against Israeli invasion ... the party enjoys good reputation in Lebanon and abroad."

He voiced respect to Patriarch Nassrullah Sfier and described him as a wise man who talk about dialogue and the relationship with Syria as well as care for the benefit of Lebanon. "We don't find conflict between the vision of Patriarch Sfeir and the strategic vision of Syria." He asserted that Arab rights and the occupied territories must be restored. "There are some parties who call on Syria to implement ( the UN Security Council ) resolution 1559 ... did those parties forget to demand Israel to implement dozens of resolutions issued by the UN Security Council ?"

The foreign Minister reiterated Syria's support to the Palestinian national unity in the framework of preserving the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.

On the pressures being exercised on Syria to affect its pivotal role in the region, al-Shara said Syria has an effect on what is going on in the region that nobody can underestimate or annul. "We repeatedly said that we are for dialogue, and this has been expressed by President Bashar al-Assad on several occasions in his speeches, press interviews and foreign visits."