AL chief hopes to lessen tension between Syria, Lebanon

Arab League Secretary General announced on Thursday there was a lot of hope in dealing with tension in the Syrian and Lebanese ties noting that evil hands are behind what is happening in Lebanon.

In a statement to journalists after meeting President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa, Amr Moussa said "I don't hide there is a big worry in Lebanon as I don't hide there is a significant consideration for the positive ties that must be between Syria and Lebanon." Moussa noted that "after meeting President Assad, I am interested to say there is a lot of hope to start dealing with the subject from many positive aspects."

Moussa added that he would repeat what he has said in Cairo and Beirut, namely that there are evil hands behind what happened in Lebanon which are affecting Lebanon's stability and widening the gape between Syria and Lebanon as well as disturbing the situation in the whole region.

Moussa said that brethrens in Lebanon know that exactly and we see that the situation in Lebanon is worrying for everyone.

President al-Assad received the Arab League Secretary General and talked over developments in the Arab arena, particularly in Lebanon, and the role the Arab league would play to bolster Arab solidarity.

Moussa also held talks with Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa over updated regional and international events mainly developments in Lebanon. View points were concordant over keenness on fraternal ties between Syria and Lebanon, and both sides considered that escalation of tension atmosphere in Lebanon was for the purpose of damaging the historical ties and joint and interlocked interests between the two peoples and states.

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa discussed with the Secretary General of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council, Nasri Khouri, updated events in Lebanon and the council's role in preserving ties between the two states from what is taking place currently.