Larsen meets Lebanese officials; army to fill gaps

Lebanese Minister of Defense Abdulrahim Murad on Tuesday said Syrian troops are committed to implementing the Taif Accord, adding that the Lebanese army will fill the gaps after the Syrian forces withdrawal.

Murad, meeting the UN Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, stressed that all Lebanese people act according to the Taif Accord, saying "we as Lebanese people don't agree with resolution 1559."

Larsen, who met also Lebanese Interior Minister Suleiman Franjei and Lebanese Army Commander Lieu. Gen. Michel Suleiman, described the talks as good and constructive, and noted that they focused on Lebanon and resolution 1559.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Syrian Social National Party in Lebanon Jibran Oreiji said that Shebaa farms are a Lebanese territory.

Oreiji, in a statement, referred to "hidden intentions which try to distort realities and come in the framework of the US-Israeli pressures to disarm resistance."

He underlined Lebanon's right to use available means to liberate Shebaa Farms, adding the resistance will remain the power of Lebanon security and stability.