Lebanese official for strong relations with syria

Supreme Shiite Islamic Council in Lebanon on Wednesday underlined commitment to maintain distinguished relations with Syria in the interest of both states and peoples.

"We renew rejection of attempts to impose international mandate on Lebanon or interfere in its internal affairs," the Council said in a statement following a meeting in Beirut headed by Deputy Leader of the Council, Sheikh Abdulamer Kabalan.

The Council stressed the importance of full implementation of the Taif Accord which all Lebanese people had consensus on as it is a national reconciliation document.

Sheikh Kabalan called for the necessity of adhering to national resistance, preserve its weapon and boost the national unity.

He condemned series of assassinations which target Lebanon security and stability, referring to the last assassination bid which targeted Lebanese Minister of Defense Elias al-Murr, calling on the competent authorities to exert every possible effort to unveil the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, former Lebanese Premier Omar Karami said the assassination attempt of al-Murr is part of a series of Israeli criminal plot directed against Lebanon. "The plot is big and clear.. it is seen through the successive crimes which target Lebanese politicians, media men and nationalists," Karami said.

Former Lebanese interior minister Suleiman Franjeih, for his part, said after visiting al-Murr that "enemies of Lebanon" are the beneficiaries from acts of bombings Lebanon is witnessing nowadays.