Lebanese president underlines importance of relations with Syria

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud on Thursday underlined the importance of his country's relations with Arab states, particularly with Syria.

Lahoud, meeting Arab and foreign diplomats on the start of New Year, said that realizing the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is a necessity, warning against illegitimate occupation of some parts of Arab lands.

In another development, former Lebanese Premier Salim al-Hoss said that the US, through interfering in Lebanon's affairs, wants to press Syria, disarm resistance, and settle Palestinians in Lebanon.

Al-Hoss, in a dialogue with university students, added that border demarcation between Syria and Lebanon should be done within natural atmospheres and understanding between both states.

He noted that the US aim of the middle eastern project is to cancel the Arab identity and divide Arab states into entities.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Lebanese Party al-Najada Mustafa Hakim said that border demarcation between Syria and Lebanon in Shabaa Farms is impossible without liberating it from the Israeli occupation.