Shiite coalition in Lebanon oppose sanctions on Syria, Christian concern for presidency

In Beirut, the Shiite coalition taking part in the Lebanese government announced opposition to imposing sanctions on Syria because of the UN investigation report which pertains to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

A joint statement issued on Monday after a meeting between the Hizbullah party and the Amal movement presided over by the secretary general of the Lebanese Hizbullah party and the Amal movement leader, the two organizations "rejected the imposition of sanctions against Syria in the course of the campaign of pressure practiced by the USA and Israel" against this country.

In the course of the implications of the UN report on the Lebanese arena, the commander of the "Lebanese Forces" group, Sami Jaajaa, proposed before his return back to Beirut on Monday evening an initiative for inter- Christian consultations on the issue of the presidency of the country which is strongly being discussed after the UN Mehlis report looms of the involvement of the Lebanese President in the Hariri assassination.

For his part, parliamentarian Butrous Harb, whose name is debated as a candidate for the republic's presidency, said that an understanding was reached among the coalition in the parliamentary majority on not foiling the Christian President by non-Christian votes.