Syrian minister of information criticizes US policy

Syria's Minister of Information, Mehdi Dakhlallah has strongly criticized the latest US. statements on the alleged presence of Syrian intelligence personnel in Lebanon, describing such statements as groundless since Syria has always dealt with Lebanon on very clear ground and nothing has been of secret nature in dealing with Lebanon.

In a statement to reporters this evening, the minister pointed out that such allegations are an evidence of the US. disappointment of the developments in Lebanon where the majority of the Lebanese people have expressed support to the national resistance and that the problem of the US policy lies with the Lebanese people themselves.

He stressed that all the Syrian troops and logistics withdrew from Lebanon and this was verified and stated by the United Nations.

The minister added that Lebanon is an independent and sovereign country which alone can determine its relations with other countries.

He called on all those who speak on behalf of Lebanon to abandon this to the Lebanese people and their legitimate authority and to show respect to the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.